Rohit Sharma: We laugh when the ‘Ro-Ko’ story plays on TV ahead of second ODI vs West Indies
Rohit Sharma said he and Virat Kohli “look at each other and laugh” whenever the ‘Ro-Ko’ tag appears on television, speaking to JioStar ahead of India’s second ODI against West Indies on Wednesday. He described their reaction as simple amusement rather than anything serious.
For nearly two decades the pair have been fixtures in Indian cricket, having made their international debuts in successive years—Rohit in 2007 and Kohli in 2008—and having shared much of their careers since. The ‘Ro-Ko’ nickname returned to public attention after Kohli recently said the tag had a “nice ring to it” and that he enjoyed the fun around it. Rohit traced the origin of the label to the period around their time in Australia, saying, “I think we were together. This started, I think, when we were playing in Australia, or right after Australia when we came to India. That's when this started, and whenever this plays on TV, we look at each other and laugh. Which is good, it's fun. People want masala, so there you go, there is some masala.”
Statistical details in their shared record underline the length of their association: Kohli has played 91 ODIs under Rohit's captaincy, scoring 3,682 runs at an average of 41.37 with nine hundreds. Rohit has appeared in 145 matches under Kohli's captaincy, scoring 7,469 runs at an average of 50.12 and making 25 centuries. Rohit also credited Kohli with a pivotal role in his red-ball career, noting that it was during Kohli's captaincy that he was promoted to open in Tests and subsequently became a leading Test opener for India.
Rohit said Kohli remained influential during his own captaincy tenure, citing India’s successful campaigns at the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy as examples of that period. On Kohli's leadership of the Test side, Rohit offered: "Appreciation, appreciation if something good has happened, it has always been there from both sides. I appreciate what he has done, you know, when he took over as captain of the Test team, especially. It was brilliant, what he did with that team." He added that their relationship includes technical discussion about batting, noting mutual feedback on how each can improve.
Describing their on-field communication, Rohit said their batting conversations are practical — about whom to attack or take a single off — and sometimes cover physical concerns, as he put it: "Sometimes something happens in my leg, so I tell him, 'Brother, run carefully, I'm feeling something.' So he is understanding that way. And, you know, such conversations keep happening. So it's been pretty fun." He reiterated a shared, team-focused mindset with the comment: "Nothing has changed from when we started to now. Obviously, we're different individuals in terms of how we carry ourselves on the field, but other than that, goal, thinking for the team is pretty much the same: that we have to win the match. We have to win the World Cup, we have to win the tournament, we have to win the series, we have to do well for the team. Which people can we help? That is completely the same."
Rohit also addressed the upcoming World Cup context, noting Kohli's record of four previous ODI World Cups beginning with India’s 2011 victory and confirming Kohli will appear at his fifth in 2027, which Kohli stated last week will be his final World Cup for India and that winning it is his motivation. On whether he had discussed the event with Kohli, Rohit laughed off any need: "No, no. He has been playing for so many years. Whether it's the '27 World Cup or the '23 World Cup, there's no need to explain it to him. World Cup is World Cup. And I'm pretty sure that everyone who is going to be part of the team understands the importance of a World Cup. And especially Kohli."
Rohit said their personal contact has reduced as their lives have settled—"Although yes, now we meet very rarely because his house is quite far from mine. And every month, or every month and a half, an ODI series happens, so because of that it's less. Otherwise, until a year ago, every 5-7 days we were on tour, so we didn't get much time at home. Now both of us are spending more time at home, which is always nice." He concluded that, despite less frequent meetings, their aims for the team remain aligned.
Rohit's full interview is scheduled to air on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network on 30th September, and the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup schedule announcement will be broadcast on October 1 on JioHotstar and Star Sports.
