Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma – Who’s the better batsman?

“Sky of Wonder, Power of Thunder!”

Before anyone starts wondering whether I’m on drugs or alcohol, let me clarify that this is what I usually use to describe the two young turks of the current Indian set up – Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, respectively. After the hiding they gave the Australians last night, the meaning of these monikers becomes much more apt.

Let me start with Rohit first. The guy made his international debut six years ago during the tour to Ireland. Given the way he plays, he should have been a permanent fixture in the squad by now. Inconsistency and a lack of attention to fitness have been his bugbears in the past, but his focus has only got better with age.

Like most Mumbai batsmen, Rohit prefers to play straight, and on the up. People who have seen him bat in his earlier days consider him to be stylish, complete with those exquisite leg-side strokes and immaculate cover drives. Those are the kind of shots that instil confidence in a willow wielder and settle whatever nerves he has early into his innings.

In addition, Sharma possesses the gift of timing and placement; two essential ingredients that make up a world-class batsman.

Until a few years ago, there had been murmurs about his commitment to the national side, and whether he was worth all the chances he had been getting despite not making much of them. He would have been tagged as a has-been if he had continued on the same path – performing in the IPL, flopping on international duty. How does a player of prodigious talent, capable of hitting the fiercest bowler into the stands, become a pale shadow of himself on the bigger stage?

Hence, the moniker Sky of Wonder – because he surprises one with his on-off style of performance.

Virat Kohli, too, has walked on similar lines. Fresh from leading the U-19 side to a World Cup triumph, he was the quintessential angry young man: brash, outspoken, high on flair and talent. He still retains some of those attitudes, but they are now tempered with a level-headedness and a sense of calm rarely seen in one this young.

The Delhi lad was bereaved early in his career, and the brief exile from the squad only cemented his resolve to make a powerful comeback into the side. Royal Challengers coach Ray Jennings can be thanked for helping him realize his full potential, and he hasn’t looked back since then, playing one blazing innings after another.

So where do the differences lie between the two powerhouses of talent?

Both possess a wide range of shots, but while Rohit is more of an artist, Virat is one whose passion and adrenaline-fuelled confidence drives his stroke-play. This is not to suggest that Rohit isn’t short on passion; he just channels it in a different manner.

Where they diverge from each other is their own approach to the game. Despite being a fluent stroke-maker, Rohit sometimes gives me the impression that he is somehow disconnected, detached from the proceedings, and somehow that reflects in his body language. More often than not, though, his technique has given way in the face of hostile bowling, and he has the tendency to poke at deliveries outside the off stump.

Virat, on the other hand, knows his game well, so he doesn’t dwell too much on ifs and buts. For him, over-aggression and brashness are traits that result in distraction. Also, he gets too frustrated if he is unable to score for long periods, especially when the spinners are on.

Both batsmen are on par in regards to technique – Rohit might be a slight nudge ahead – but in terms of numbers, the Delhi batsman wins hands down. It means that the Mumbai kid might just have to realize a few hard facts about himself, and then adapt quickly.

So who is the better bat? As of now, even after last night’s game, I’ll put my money on Kohli. The power of thunder comes up trumps this time!