Team India batsmen Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli broke the records of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid during the first ODI of the three-match series against South Africa in Ranchi. Leaving behind the record of Sachin and Dravid, Rohit and Virat became the pair to play the most number of international matches together for India.
The pair returned to action on home soil after 291 days at the Jharkhand Cricket Association Stadium on Sunday, November 30. South African captain Aiden Markram won the toss and decided to bowl first. India started on top with Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jaiswal got out on a low score and Virat came to the crease at number 3.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma left behind the records of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli reached a big milestone during the second ODI in Ranchi. This match became the 392nd game in which he played together for India across all formats. No Indian pair has played together more than them in the same playing eleven.
He left behind the long standing record of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. This legendary pair had performed together in 391 international matches for India. Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, who played 369 international matches together for India, are at third place in this list.
Notably, Rohit and Virat announced their retirement from Test cricket and T20 Internationals. Their long journey together in international cricket makes this moment even more special for the fans.
Indian pairs with most number of matches played together:
| Post | indian couple | matches played together | Situation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma | 392* | Active |
| 2 | Sachin Tendulkar-Rahul Dravid | 391 | retired |
| 3 | Sourav Ganguly – Rahul Dravid | 369 | retired |
| 4 | Sachin Tendulkar-Anil Kumble | 367 | retired |
| 5 | Sachin Tendulkar – Sourav Ganguly | 341 | retired |
Only five pairs have played more ODI matches together in cricket history:
Sri Lankan cricketers dominate the list of pairs that have played the most number of international matches together. Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara shared the field 550 times. They are followed by another Sri Lankan pair, Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan, who have featured together in 426 games.
Most international matches played simultaneously (between all teams):
| Post | couple | matches played together | Situation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mahela Jayawardene – Kumar Sangakkara | 550 | retired |
| 2 | Mahela Jayawardene – Tillakaratne Dilshan | 426 | retired |
| 3 | Kumar Sangakkara – Tillakaratne Dilshan | 418 | retired |
| 4 | Sanath Jayasuriya – Muttiah Muralitharan | 408 | retired |
| 5 | Jacques Kallis – Mark Boucher | 407 | retired |
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have a long standing partnership in Indian cricket.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been part of the India team for more than a decade. Rohit made his international debut in 2007 and Virat in 2008. When Virat played his first international match, an ODI against Sri Lanka, Rohit was still in the eleven.
Over the years, they have shared the field across all formats. They have appeared together in 60 Tests, 226 ODIs and 106 T20 Internationals.
He has also brought great success for India. Both players were part of the squads that won the Champions Trophy in 2013 and 2025 as well as the T20 World Cup in 2024.
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