Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma among IE 100 most powerful Indians for 2023

Former India captain Virat Kohli (53) and the current skipper Rohit Sharma (83) have earned a spot each among the Indian Express 100 most powerful Indians in 2023.
The duo are the only two cricketers in the l given their influence not just on Indian cricket but also the international sport. Also part of the l is BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, who is also the chief of the Asian Cricket Council.

Kohli, who finished a 1,021 day drought scoring his 71st international ton last year during the Asia Cup before adding a 72nd during the tour of Bangladesh, has added three more centuries in the new calendar year. Two in ODIs and his latest coming in the Ahmedabad Test against Australia, his first in the format in three-and-a-half years.

Known to speak his mind, he has talked about his struggles with mental health and backed teammate Mohammed Shami when the fast bowler faced communal abuse on social media after the loss to Pakan in the T20 World Cup in 2021.
His successor, Rohit Sharma led the team to the T20 World Cup semifinal last year and has been solid in the top order during the early bilateral series in 2023. Rohit has scored a century each in ODI as well as Test cricket against New Zealand and Australia respectively, and is currently 8th in the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings. Just below Kohli.

Rohit has the chance to lift the ICC World Test Championship mace with India having qualified for the World Test Championship final for the second consecutive time, setting up the summit clash against Australia, who they pipped 2-1 during the recent home series.
Both Kohli and Rohit will also be crucial if India are to go all the way in the home ODI World Cup later this year in October and November.