There was a time when Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were simply two of the biggest stars in Indian cricket. Then came the nicknames. Virushka was already popular, followed by MahiRat. Over the years, as Kohli and Rohit spent countless seasons batting, leading and winning together for India, another nickname emerged and stayed: Ro-Ko.
Kohli, at least, has no issue with it.
“Ro-Ko has a nice ring to it,” he told JioStar ahead of India's three-match ODI series against the West Indies.
“It sounds nice, it sounds good, and people are having a lot of fun with it.”
The nickname now represents more than just a catchy combination of their names. Both Rohit and Kohli retired from T20Is following India's 2024 T20 World Cup victory and subsequently ended their Test careers in 2025. ODI cricket is now the only international format in which the two continue to play.
That has naturally changed the way their partnership is viewed. The two experienced stars are no longer regulars across all three formats. Each ODI appearance now attracts greater attention, more nostalgia and increasing discussion over how much longer they can continue playing.
Kohli understands why the nickname has become appealing.
“Now that we only play one format, even from the broadcaster's perspective, I'm sure it's a very nice tagline to use - 'Oh, Ro-Ko aa gaye! They are back',” he said.
“Accha hai (It's nice), it's got a ring to it, and it's benefiting everyone, so it's cool.”
The attention surrounding the two has not gone away. Following the 2025 Champions Trophy, questions were raised over whether Rohit and Kohli would continue to feature in India's plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Both, however, have continued to strengthen their claims with their performances.
Kohli made a strong return to India's ODI set-up in 2026 and briefly reclaimed the No. 1 position in the ICC ODI batting rankings. He has maintained his form since then, scoring three centuries in his last 10 ODI innings. Rohit, meanwhile, produced a remarkable 138 against England at Lord's in July, becoming the first Indian men's batter to score an ODI century at the famous venue. The pair also put together a 113-run partnership during that match.
For Kohli, however, his relationship with Rohit has never centred on individual statistics or personal milestones. Instead, it has focused on finding ways to help the Indian team progress.
“When you have played for so long and you have been in leadership positions respectively for India, the goal is always that, as a senior player, you would bounce off things with your captain,” Kohli said.
Their understanding has developed over the years. During Kohli's captaincy, he regularly relied on Rohit's input. When Rohit became captain, he similarly sought Kohli's views. MS Dhoni was also part of such discussions after stepping down as captain.
“And similarly for Rohit, when he became captain, he would bounce off ideas with me as well,” Kohli said. “So, the conversations have always been about how to take the Indian team forward. Because eventually, the end goal is, how does the team benefit?”
With the 2027 World Cup approaching, those discussions could become even more specific.
“When the World Cup comes closer, then you're also looking to tighten things a lot more and streamline small little things,” Kohli said. “You go into more intense, more detailed conversations of how can we get a particular right, immediately correct it and utilise it in the next game. So, those conversations have always been there between me and him.”
I DON'T CONSIDER MYSELF THE GOAT: VIRAT
Virat Kohli is closing in on a major milestone in ODI cricket (Reuters Photo)
Kohli is also approaching a major personal milestone in Thiruvananthapuram. He needs 59 runs against the West Indies to become only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to reach 15,000 ODI runs. Kohli currently has 14,941 runs from 314 matches, including 54 centuries, while Tendulkar ended his ODI career with 18,426 runs.
Despite his extraordinary numbers, Kohli remains hesitant to place himself at the very top of cricket's all-time hierarchy.
“I don't consider myself the best ever,” he said.
His reasoning is straightforward. Cricket has been played in different eras, with players facing different circumstances and having different ways of measuring success.
“Different players have existed in different times of the sport, and they've done some amazing things, but might not have accumulated those kind of numbers, and some have numbers which are way better than me,” Kohli said.
For him, impact remains the more important measure.
“Everyone's main goal eventually is to create enough impact,” he said. “I've been fortunate enough to have played for so long, and of course, when you're motivated to do well over that period, you end up performing more often than not.”
“As long as that answer is yes, and you mix up experience, your fitness, game awareness and motivation all together,” Kohli said, “I'm blessed that it's still there, and I continue to be excited to play for the country, which is a great honour.”
The 2027 World Cup will be Kohli's fifth and, as he has now confirmed, his final World Cup for India. Rohit, meanwhile, remains part of India's ODI plans after his century at Lord's and has been included in the squad for the West Indies series beginning on Sunday.
So Ro-Ko may be more than simply a catchy phrase used by broadcasters. It represents a partnership that has continued through changes in leadership, World Cups, victories, setbacks and the conclusion of two international careers. With the 2027 World Cup now approaching, the Ro-Ko partnership still has a few chapters left to write.
