Not Rohit Sharma: Virat Kohli Picks Former RCB Teammate for Six-Hitting in His ‘Perfect ODI Batter’

Give Virat Kohli the task of building the perfect ODI batter and the result is inevitably going to contain some legendary names.

But one of his selections might still surprise Indian cricket fans.

Kohli was recently asked by Star Sports to construct his ideal 50-over batter, choosing different players for individual batting skills — from the straight drive and cover drive to running between the wickets and six-hitting.

The list featured Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag, Matthew Hayden and AB de Villiers.

But when the conversation turned to hitting sixes, Kohli didn’t choose his longtime India teammate Rohit Sharma.

His pick was the ‘Universe Boss’ — Chris Gayle.

Chris Gayle gets Kohli’s vote for six-hitting

Few selections require less explanation.

Kohli spent years alongside Chris Gayle at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and witnessed the West Indian’s extraordinary power-hitting from close range.

So, when asked to select the six-hitting ability he would add to his perfect ODI batter, Kohli chose his former RCB teammate.

Gayle built his reputation as one of cricket’s most destructive hitters, combining enormous power with the ability to clear boundaries seemingly without effort.

Kohli’s selection also meant Rohit Sharma, another batter renowned for his six-hitting, did not feature in this particular combination.

Sachin Tendulkar gets the straight drive

For perhaps cricket’s most aesthetically celebrated shot, Kohli turned to one of his childhood heroes.

Sachin Tendulkar was his choice for the straight drive.

Tendulkar’s straight drive became one of the defining images of his career, and Kohli has repeatedly spoken about the influence the former India batter had on him growing up.

Interestingly, Kohli himself is regarded as one of the finest exponents of the shot in modern cricket, but when asked to choose another player, he went with Tendulkar.

Kumar Sangakkara for the cover drive

For the cover drive, Kohli selected former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara.

The choice is particularly interesting because the cover drive has become one of Kohli’s own signature strokes.

Sangakkara, however, was widely admired for the elegance and timing of his strokeplay during a distinguished international career.

Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag and Matthew Hayden also feature

Kohli’s imaginary batter continued to take shape with three more celebrated names.

For the flick, he selected Rahul Dravid.

For the cut shot, Kohli went with explosive former India opener Virender Sehwag, whose aggressive square-of-the-wicket batting was a defining feature of his game.

The sweep shot went to former Australian opener Matthew Hayden, another batter known for combining power with an attacking approach.

AB de Villiers gets a very different skill

Kohli also found room for another of his closest former RCB teammates — AB de Villiers.

But rather than selecting the South African great for one of his extraordinary 360-degree shots, Kohli chose De Villiers for running between the wickets.

Kohli and De Villiers shared numerous memorable partnerships during their years together at RCB, and their speed and understanding between the wickets often complemented their boundary-hitting ability.

Put everything together and Kohli’s perfect ODI batter looks like this:

Straight drive — Sachin Tendulkar
Cover drive — Kumar Sangakkara
Flick — Rahul Dravid
Cut — Virender Sehwag
Sweep — Matthew Hayden
Six-hitting — Chris Gayle
Running between wickets — AB de Villiers

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No Rohit Sharma or MS Dhoni

Two particularly notable omissions were Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni.

Both have played enormous roles alongside Kohli during his India career.

Dhoni was Kohli’s first international captain, while Rohit and Kohli have spent years together at the heart of India’s batting lineup.

Kohli nevertheless stressed that his respect for his former teammates and seniors remains unchanged.

“For me, Sachin paaji is always going to be Sachin paaji. MS Dhoni is always going to be MS Dhoni in terms of being my first captain. These things can’t change inside me,” Kohli said.

The exercise was about selecting individual batting attributes rather than ranking players or their overall careers.

Kohli himself continues rewriting ODI records

The conversation comes at a time when Kohli continues adding milestones of his own.

Against the West Indies, he became the fastest batter to reach 15,000 ODI runs, getting to the landmark quicker than Tendulkar.

Kohli also moved ahead of Tendulkar’s ODI run tally on home soil.

Yet despite a career filled with centuries and records, Kohli insists he doesn’t approach the game as someone whose work is already finished.

“I have never looked at myself as a guy who has established and achieved. You never really get to a position where you say that is it. I have done it,” he said.

That mindset may help explain why, even after reaching territory occupied by very few cricketers, Kohli continues to talk about improving his game rather than simply protecting his legacy.

Kohli’s perfect batter brings together generations

Kohli’s choices ultimately span different eras and countries.

There’s Tendulkar’s straight drive, Sangakkara’s cover drive, Dravid’s flick, Sehwag’s cut, Hayden’s sweep, Gayle’s six-hitting and De Villiers’ running between the wickets.

It would make quite a batter.

And for fans wondering who Kohli trusts when the ball simply needs to disappear over the boundary, his answer is clear:

Chris Gayle still gets the call.