Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continue to rewrite ODI cricket’s history books. The veteran batting duo has now become the third most successful partnership in One-Day International cricket after their commanding 136-run stand during the first ODI against South Africa at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
After Yashasvi Jaiswal left early in Ranchi, the duo came together to put on their 20th hundred-run stand and become the third most successful ODI partnership in the process. Given that 50-over cricket is the only format they play, some doubted whether they’d return to competitive cricket with the same gusto as they left with in Sydney. Worry not, they said, as they sleepwalked their way to scores of fifty by the time the 20th over ended.
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Historic Milestone in Ranchi
The 136-run partnership between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Ranchi was more than just another impressive stand – it was a historic achievement that propelled them past Sri Lankan legends Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan on the all-time ODI partnership list. During the course of this innings against South Africa, the duo reached over 5,600 partnership runs and went past the alliance of Sangakkara and Dilshan to claim the No. 3 spot among the most prolific ODI partners.
Twenty century partnerships between Rohit and Kohli in ODIs now equal those of Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan, and are only behind the 26 between Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly. The 136-run stand between Kohli and Rohit in Ranchi was their eighth century partnership in ODIs at home, but the first since January 2020.
Breaking Down the Partnership Statistics
Rohit Sharma scored a sparkling 57 off 51 balls, including five fours and three sixes, during which he broke Shahid Afridi’s record for most ODI sixes. Virat Kohli, meanwhile, went on to compile a magnificent 135 off 120 balls with 11 fours and seven sixes – his record-breaking 52nd ODI century.
Their partnership came at a crucial time for India after the early dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal. The duo dominated the South African bowlers and steadily built India’s total, putting on a masterclass of ODI batting that reminded everyone why they remain indispensable to India’s white-ball setup.
| Category | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Total Partnership Runs | 5,619+ |
| All-Time ODI Ranking | 3rd |
| Century Partnerships | 20 |
| 50+ Run Partnerships | 50+ |
| Innings Together | 140+ |
| Partnership in Ranchi | 136 runs |
| First Century Stand Since | January 2020 (across all formats) |
| Home Partnership Runs (India) | 2,667 (World Record) |
Journey to Third Place
Virat Kohli himself acknowledged the significance of their partnership during a post-match interview. “I think it all started from that 2013 series against Australia at home, when we really started getting those big partnerships together and really taking the game on. From then on, it was pretty clear the opposition also knew if these guys are in for 20 overs together, any total is chaseable, and the game’s never done in the opposition’s favour. I’ve really enjoyed batting with Rohit, and, yeah, good to know we’ve scored a few together.“
The transformation began when MS Dhoni made the decision to promote Rohit Sharma from a middle-order batsman to an opener late in 2012. What happened next is history. Since then, the Rohit-Kohli partnership has flourished, producing some of the most memorable innings in ODI cricket.
Record-Breaking Home Performance
With their 136-run stand in Ranchi, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have shattered a major record in ODI cricket. The two now have the most partnership runs by any pair in the world at home in ODI cricket. Kohli and Rohit have slammed 2,667 runs as a pair in ODI cricket in India, which is now the most runs at home, going past the previous record of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, both of whom had accumulated 2,596 runs in partnership in Sri Lanka.
This home dominance showcases their ability to capitalize on familiar conditions and demonstrates why they’ve been such a formidable force in Indian cricket for over a decade.
| Rank | Pair | Team | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar & Sourav Ganguly | India | 8,227 |
| 2 | Mahela Jayawardene & Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 5,992 |
| 3 | Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli | India | 5,619+ |
| 4 | Kumar Sangakkara & Tillakaratne Dilshan | Sri Lanka | 5,475 |
| 5 | Ricky Ponting & Adam Gilchrist | Australia | 4,985 |
Most Century Partnerships in ODIs
The Ranchi stand also marked a significant milestone in terms of century partnerships. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli now have 20 century partnerships in ODIs, equaling Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan’s tally. Only the legendary Indian duo of Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly stand ahead with 26 century partnerships.
The Rohit-Kohli pairing has 19 century partnerships in ODIs, which places them third in the world. Their ability to construct massive partnerships remains unmatched in modern cricket. They had previously passed the Australia duo of Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden, who had ten century stands in 52 innings.
The 150+ Partnership Record
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli also share 12 partnerships of 150 runs or more in ODIs, equaling Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly for the joint-most such stands. Their most recent 150+ partnership was the unbeaten 168-run stand against Australia in Sydney during October 2025, which proved to be a vintage display of their batting prowess.
This record demonstrates not just their ability to bat together, but their capacity to build substantial partnerships that put India in commanding positions. These long partnerships have often been the difference between good totals and match-winning scores.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| 100+ Run Partnerships | 20 |
| 50+ Run Partnerships | 12 (Tied for most all-time) |
| Century Stands in ODI Chases | 11 |
| Partnerships vs Australia | 3 (all 100+ in Australia) |
| Combined Runs in Australia (All Formats) | 1,009 runs |
| Average Partnership | 40+ runs |
Performance Against Top Teams
The Rohit-Kohli partnership has been particularly effective against top-tier opposition. Against Australia alone, they have accumulated 1,009 runs across formats as a pair, second only to Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman who have 1,256 runs, cementing their reputation as India’s most prolific batting duo overseas.
They joined Desmond Haynes and Vivian Richards with three 100-plus partnerships in Australia in ODIs: Perth 2016 with 207 runs, Brisbane 2016 with 125 runs, and Sydney 2025 with an unbeaten 129-run stand.
Fastest to 5,000 Partnership Runs
Earlier in their partnership journey, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli became the fastest pair to complete 5,000 runs in ODI cricket. They unlocked this achievement in their 86th innings together, surpassing West Indies legends Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes to become the eighth pair to have completed 5,000 runs in the 50-over format.
This rapid accumulation of runs speaks to their consistency, understanding of each other’s game, and the sheer volume of runs they’ve scored whenever they’ve batted together.
The Sydney Masterclass
Their recent form has been exceptional. During the third ODI against Australia in Sydney in October 2025, Rohit and Kohli produced a spectacular batting performance with a 168-run partnership that leveled them with Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly for the most 150-plus run stands in ODI history.
After a match or two of rustiness, the beloved “Ro-Ko” duo returned to their destructive best, stitching the 168-run stand while chasing 237 runs against Australia. While India lost that series, fans in Sydney got their money’s worth with a win and what could potentially be one of the final Rohit-Virat partnerships on Australian soil.
Understanding Between the Legends
What makes the Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli partnership so effective is their deep understanding of each other’s game. Virat Kohli explained this synergy: “When Rohit’s already batting there, it’s pretty easy to kind of keep rotating strike. We understand each other’s game pretty well. So again, really good to have a big partnership and another match-finishing partnership for us.”
Earlier in the day before the Ranchi ODI, Rohit had emphasized his commitment and preparation. “ODI is a mixture of Test and T20I together. So, you have to be skillful enough to go out there and handle both skill sets. When the ball is hard and new, it swings. So, you need to bring your Test mindset there and leave as much as you can; play close to your body,” Rohit told BCCI.tv.
Kohli had added: “I’m very sure that if I make myself available, then I have to give my 100 per cent. I’ve never played any series, even at 95 per cent capacity. Experience is an accumulation of being present and aware in situations you have been a part of and having all those memories stored up so that you can utilize those experiences when those situations come again.”
Record for Playing Together
Beyond their batting partnership, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli also hold the record for playing the most international matches for India together. The Ranchi ODI against South Africa was their 392nd international match together, surpassing the previous record held by Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, who played 391 matches together.
This longevity speaks to their fitness, consistency, and the trust that multiple team managements have placed in them over the years.
Chasing Down the Top Two
While Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli now occupy the third position on the all-time ODI partnership list, they still have significant ground to cover to reach the top two positions. They are nearly 3,000 runs behind Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, who had the advantage of opening together and thus batting together more often, accumulating 8,227 runs.
However, they can still realistically surpass Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, who added 5,992 runs in each other’s company. With both Rohit and Kohli committed to playing ODI cricket until at least the 2027 World Cup, they have opportunities to close this gap.
Given that 50-over cricket is the only format they currently play for India, every series presents an opportunity to add to their tally. India has upcoming ODI assignments against New Zealand in January 2026 and England in July 2026, which will provide more chances for the duo to extend their partnership runs.
The Legacy Continues
The Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli partnership represents one of the greatest batting alliances in ODI cricket history. From their early days building partnerships in 2013 against Australia to their current status as the third most successful ODI pair, they have consistently delivered for India in crucial situations.
Their 20 century partnerships, 12 partnerships of 150-plus runs, and over 5,600 combined runs showcase a level of consistency and excellence that places them among the all-time greats. As they continue to add to these numbers with every match, their legacy as one of cricket’s most formidable batting pairs is firmly established.
The Ranchi performance was yet another reminder that despite approaching the twilight of their careers, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remain masters of ODI cricket. Their ability to turn back the clock and produce match-winning partnerships ensures that Indian cricket fans have much to look forward to as these legends continue their journey toward the 2027 ODI World Cup.
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FAQs
How many partnership runs have Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli scored in ODIs?
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have scored over 5,619 partnership runs in ODI cricket, making them the third most successful batting pair in ODI history behind Sachin Tendulkar-Sourav Ganguly (8,227 runs) and Mahela Jayawardene-Kumar Sangakkara (5,992 runs).
How many century partnerships do Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have in ODIs?
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have 20 century partnerships in ODIs, equaling Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan’s record. Only Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly have more with 26 century partnerships.
What is the record for most partnership runs at home in ODI cricket?
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli hold the record for most partnership runs at home in ODI cricket with 2,667 runs in India. They surpassed Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara’s previous record of 2,596 runs in Sri Lanka.
How many 150+ run partnerships do Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have?
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli share 12 partnerships of 150 runs or more in ODIs, equaling Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly for the joint-most 150+ partnerships in ODI history.
When was the last century partnership between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli before the Sydney ODI?
Before their 168-run partnership in Sydney (October 2025), the last century stand between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli was in January 2020 against Australia, when they added 137 runs for the second wicket. They had batted 49 times across formats without a century stand before reuniting in Sydney.
