IND vs BAN: What is Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s record vs spin in Tests?

For India to assert dominance over Bangladesh’s spinners, much will hinge on how Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli handle them.

With a batting lineup in transition, India will need its most experienced batters - Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli - to lead the charge against Bangladesh spinners. | Photo Credit: Ragu R / The Hindu

India is set to face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series starting Thursday at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This marks the beginning of India’s lengthy Test season, with 10 matches scheduled over the next five months. Their first challenge will be navigating a trial by spin.

Bangladesh, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, has emerged as one of the top spin-bowling sides. Since 2022, its spinners have taken 154 of the team’s 274 wickets, averaging 30.94 per wicket. In comparison, India has struggled against spin during this period, losing a wicket every 60 balls and managing just 34 runs per dismissal. Notably, Bangladesh’s batting average of 35.4 slightly surpasses India’s.

FILE PHOTO: In the first 30 balls facing spin, Rohit Sharma attacks 31 per cent of the deliveries. | Photo Credit: DEEPAK KR

India’s batting lineup is currently in transition, with several young players vying to establish themselves. So, with a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final on the line, India will rely heavily on its most seasoned batters — Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli — to step up.

However, both Rohit and Kohli have struggled against spin in recent red-ball cricket. Since 2022, Kohli has managed 447 runs against spin in Tests at an average of 37.25, while Rohit has fared similarly, scoring 527 runs at an average of 37.64. Neither has had particularly memorable performances against spin during this period.

Out of 24 dismissals, Kohli has fallen to spinners 12 times, while Rohit has been dismissed by them 14 times in his 26 dismissals. Kohli has been adjudged LBW six times, whereas Rohit has been caught five times and trapped LBW on four occasions.

Off-spinners have been particularly effective against Kohli, dismissing him seven times in his last 15 innings, during which he averages 39.3 against them. Left-arm orthodox spinners have taken his wicket five times in 16 innings since 2022. Similarly, Rohit has been dismissed by both off-spinners and left-arm orthodox bowlers seven times each during the same period.

Both players are naturally attacking batsmen, preferring to work the ball and play shots rather than staying defensive. In the first 30 balls they face against spinners, Kohli attacks nearly 30% of deliveries, while Rohit goes after 31%. However, this aggressive approach comes with risks. Since 2022, Kohli has been dismissed five times within the first 30 balls of facing spin, averaging 34. Rohit has been dismissed four times in a similar phase, averaging 40.25.

Since 2022, Kohli has scored 447 runs facing spin in Tests at an average of 37.25. | Photo Credit: RAGU R/ The Hindu

For India to assert dominance over Bangladesh’s spinners — Shakib Al Hasan, Taijul Islam, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz — much will hinge on how Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli handle them. The pitch at Chepauk will present a stern challenge for both batsmen.

Of India’s two Test venues, with the other being Kanpur, Chepauk has been especially favourable to spinners. In 34 Test matches at the ground, spinners have averaged a wicket every 68 deliveries, conceding just 31 runs per wicket.

Kohli and Rohit against spin and pace in Tests overall:

Player	Bowling Type	Balls Faced	Runs		Average	Balls per Dismissal	Balls per Boundary
Virat Kohli	Pace	9300	5094		44.68	81.6	13.8
Virat Kohli	Spin	6624	3754		59.59	105.1	19.3
Rohit Sharma	Pace	4176	2261		42.66	78.8	13.6
Rohit Sharma	Spin	3075	1876		50.7	83/1	13.8

Kohli and Rohit against spin in India in Tests overall:

Player	Balls Faced	Runs	Out	Average	Balls per Dismissal	Balls per Boundary
Virat Kohli	4138	2394	42	57	98.5	18.6
Rohit Sharma	2175	1396	24	58.17	90.6	12.3

Kohli and Rohit against spin in India in Tests since 2020:

Player	Balls Faced	Runs	Out	Average	Balls per Dismissal	Balls per Boundary
Virat Kohli	948	454	15	30.27	63.2	24.9
Rohit Sharma	1121	662	15	44.13	74.7	13.8

Kohli and Rohit against Bangladesh in Tests:

Player	Balls Faced	Runs	Average	Highest	100s	Balls per Dismissals
Virat Kohli	633	437	54.63	204	2	79.1
Rohit Sharma	58	33	11	21	0	19.3