India’s T20 World Cup 2024 and ICC Champions Trophy 2025 winning captain Rohit Sharma recently opened up about a multitude of topics in an interview with JioStar. These included the famous “Ro-Ko” moniker, his equation with Virat Kohli, and his plans for the 2027 World Cup.
As teammates for India for around 20 years, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have witnessed many of the most memorable moments in the team's recent history.
As the 2027 ODI World Cup draws near, the two are playing in India's three-match ODI series against the West Indies. Rohit and Kohli continue to shoulder the batting lineup.
Rohit stated that his friendship with Kohli goes back to the days when they were new to their international careers, and now their relationship is one of camaraderie. He also talked about the “Ro-Ko” nickname and stated that they laugh whenever it is mentioned.
“We were together. This started, I think, when we were playing in Australia, or right after Australia, when we came to India. That's when this started, and whenever this plays on TV, we look at each other and laugh.
Both of us, we've almost started playing at the same time. I made my debut in 2007; he made his debut in 2008. And since then, we've been trying to give our best for the team,” Rohit said on JioStar.
The former captain of India said that although their methods may differ, the end goal is the same. Rohit expressed gratitude for Kohli's contributions to Indian cricket and said he hopes the batsman will continue to play the game in the same way.
“There's a strong camaraderie between the two of us, and we understand what it needs to be at a certain level when you're playing at this level. Methods are different, obviously, but that's how it should be; every individual is different.
For what he has done for the team, for this team, there is no question; there is no asking what he has done. It's there for everyone to see it. And what he is going to do from here on now, I don't think anything has changed. He'll be the same Kohli that we know of: wants to come, prepare well, go get the runs, and win games for Team India,” Rohit said.
Rohit further clarified that Kohli's approach has always been consistent irrespective of who the team's captain has been.
"Yeah, that's what I see with him. When he was captain, pretty much the same. When I was captain, pretty much the same. And I don't see any reason why anything needs to change,” he explained.
Virat Kohli has played four World Cup tournaments in 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023, while the upcoming edition in 2027 will be his fifth. It would also be Kohli's last World Cup for India.
When Rohit was asked if he had discussed anything with Kohli about the World Cup, he said, "No, no. He has been playing for so many years. Whether it's the '27 World Cup or the '23 World Cup, there's no need to explain it to him. The World Cup is the World Cup.
I'm pretty sure that everyone who is going to be part of the team understands the importance of a World Cup. And especially Kohli. I mean, the one who has played the most World Cups, I think in this team, it's him."
Although there was no talk regarding the World Cup, Rohit pointed out that all his talks with Virat Kohli always relate to the requirements of the game.
"The discussion is about what we can do. When we are batting together, we are discussing whom to attack, whom to take a single off, and what to do. Obviously, we're different individuals in terms of how we carry ourselves on the field, but other than that, the goal and thinking for the team are pretty much the same: that we have to win the match. We have to win the World Cup, we have to win the tournament, we have to win the series, and we have to do well for the team,” Rohit added.
Rohit Sharma talked about his relationship with Virat Kohli and how they continue to talk with one another to make themselves better as individuals.
"Appreciation, appreciation if something good has happened; it has always been there from both sides. I appreciate what he has done, you know, when he took over as a captain with the Test team, especially. It was brilliant, what he did with that team. There has been a lot of discussion about how both of us as individuals can improve our own game. So, sometimes if something is happening with my batting, he comes and mentions it; sometimes I mention it. So that conversation always keeps going, so it's not different,” Kohli stated.
Rohit also stated that since their individual schedules have changed, they are spending less time together in between assignments.
"Although yes, now we meet very rarely because his house is quite far from mine. And every month, or every month and a half, an ODI series happens, so because of that it's less. Otherwise, until a year ago, every 5-7 days we were on tour, so we didn't get much time at home. Now both of us are spending more time at home, which is always nice,” Rohit concluded.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be in action for India when they play the second ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati on September 30, 2026.
(Jiostar inputs)
