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Virat Kohli Picks Chris Gayle Over Rohit Sharma as Best T20 Opener

Virat Kohli, in a game of 'This or That' for RCB, selected Chris Gayle as the best T20 opener over Indian captain Rohit Sharma. Kohli's choice highlights Gayle's monumental record as the format's highest run-scorer with over 14,500 runs. The West Indies legend also holds the IPL record for the highest individual score of 175*. Kohli will return to action for RCB when they begin their IPL 2026 title defense on March 28.

Key Points: Kohli Names Gayle Best T20 Opener Over Rohit Sharma

  • Kohli picks Gayle in 'This or That' game
  • Gayle is T20 cricket's all-time leading run-scorer
  • Rohit Sharma was the other final choice
  • Kohli to lead RCB in IPL 2026 opener
2 min read

Virat Kohli picks Chris Gayle over Rohit Sharma as best T20 opener

Virat Kohli chooses Chris Gayle over Rohit Sharma as the best T20 opener, citing the West Indian's record-breaking career stats.

"After thinking for a bit, Virat chose the Caribbean star as the best T20 opener."

New Delhi, March 15

Virat Kohli has favoured his former Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate Chris Gayle over India's prime batter Rohit Sharma as the best opener in the shortest format of the game.

Kohli, who also boasts a strong record as an opener in the Indian Premier League (IPL), played a game of This or That, where he was given two choices and he had to pick one each time. Kohli was asked about the best opener in T20 cricket.

In a video released by the RCB on Sunday, Virat began by picking Adam Gilchrist over Sunil Narine, and the next comparison was between Gilchrist and Travis Head, in which Kohli chose the latter, as it specifically pertains to T20 Cricket.

The game came down to the end, at which point the former RCB captain had a choice between Rohit and Gayle. After thinking for a bit, Virat chose the Caribbean star as the best T20 opener.

West Indies former opener, Gayle, holds the record for the most total runs in T20 cricket history, with 14,562 runs in 455 innings across all T20 formats. He is widely recognised as the leading run-scorer in the format's history. He has scored 4965 runs in the IPL in just 142 matches.

Gayle also holds the record of the highest individual score in the tournament's history. The West Indies legend remained unbeaten at 175 playing for RCB against Pune Warriors in 2013.

While Rohit has scored 4231 runs in 159 matches and 151 innings in T20I and 7046 runs in 272 matches and 267 innings in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Meanwhile, Virat will be back in action for RCB when they start their campaign as the defending champions against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2026 opener to be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As an Indian, I feel a bit disappointed. Rohit Sharma has won us so many trophies, including the T20 World Cup. Stats are one thing, but impact for the national team should count for more. Just my two paise.
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Aman W
It's a game of "This or That", people! Don't read too much into it. Virat played with Gayle for years at RCB, there's bound to be a bias. Both are legends in their own right. Let's just enjoy the cricket season starting soon!
S
Sarah B
The numbers don't lie. 14,562 runs in T20s is insane. Gayle revolutionized how the powerplay is played. Rohit is a brilliant tactician and captain, but for sheer fear factor as an opener, the Universe Boss takes it.
K
Karthik V
Context matters yaar. Gayle was a beast in franchise cricket globally. Rohit's greatness is amplified in ICC tournaments and under pressure for India. Comparing them is like comparing mangoes and oranges – both delicious!
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Nikhil C
Respectfully, I disagree with Virat. Rohit's consistency and ability to play long innings while maintaining a high strike rate is underrated. He's the backbone. Gayle was more of a spectacular "hit or miss" kind of player.

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