"Rohit was more technically sound than Virat": Herschelle Gibbs makes a big statement on Indian batters

In a recent online exchange that sparked a lively debate among cricket fans, former South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs weighed in on the long-standing comparison between two of India’s greatest modern-day batters, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Gibbs, renowned for his explosive batting and sharp cricketing mind, expressed his opinion on X (formerly Twitter), declaring that Rohit Sharma is "more technically correct" than Virat Kohli, especially in the traditional format of the game.

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Gibbs's comments came during an interaction with fans, where he highlighted Rohit’s compact technique and discipline outside the off-stump, a zone that has historically troubled Kohli at times. According to the former Proteas opener, Sharma’s balance and decision-making in those channels set him apart in terms of pure technique.

“Rohit was always more technically correct than Virat,” Gibbs stated. “But Virat’s desire to dominate, especially in white-ball formats, is a major difference between the two batters.”

Gibbs breaks down his statement on Rohit and Virat

When a fan pressed Gibbs for further clarification, he doubled down on his stance, citing specific instances from Kohli’s career. He noted that Kohli often falls prey to deliveries outside the off-stump, particularly those pitched on the fourth or fifth line, attempting to drive without full control.

“You ever see Rohit defend balls on the 4th or 5th stump? How many times did Virat get out doing just that?” Gibbs responded. “Rohit is definitely technically better than Virat.”

Gibbs's assessment aligns with a common observation in Kohli’s career trajectory. Despite his remarkable consistency and match-winning knocks, Kohli has occasionally struggled against tight lines outside off, especially against quality seam attacks. Notably, in the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Kohli was dismissed in similar fashion twice by Australian pacer Scott Boland, once again raising questions about this vulnerability.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli: A tale of two greats

Despite their differences in technique and approach, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have carved legendary careers for themselves. With Rohit recently announcing his retirement from Test cricket, his record stands at 4,301 runs in 67 matches, including 12 centuries. He is also India’s second-highest six-hitter in Test cricket, only behind Virender Sehwag, with 88 sixes to his name.

Kohli, on the other hand, remains one of the most prolific run scorers in Test history. With 9,230 runs in 123 matches and 30 centuries, including a record seven double-hundreds for India, Kohli’s legacy in red-ball cricket is firmly etched in the annals of the game.

As India prepares for their high-stakes five-match Test series against England starting June 20 at Headingley, the absence of both Sharma and Kohli will undoubtedly be felt. Their combined experience, temperament, and match-winning abilities have been pillars of India’s red-ball dominance over the past decade.