- Rohit Sharma – The Hitman of Indian Cricket
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Rohit Sharma – The Hitman of Indian Cricket | Match-Winning Performances
THE LEGEND
Rohit Gurunath Sharma was born on April 30, 1987, in Bansod, Nagpur, Maharashtra. Coming from a humble background, Rohit was raised by his grandparents and uncles in Borivali due to his father’s limited income. His cricketing journey began at the Swami Vivekanand International School under the guidance of coach Dinesh Lad (father of former Indian player Siddhesh Lad).
Rohit originally started as an off-spinner. However, Lad identified his batting talent and promoted him up the order — a decision that would change Indian cricket forever.
🏏 Domestic Career – Rise to Stardom
Rohit Sharma made his domestic debut for West Zone in the Deodhar Trophy in 2005. He grabbed attention with a quickfire 142 off 123 balls against North Zone.
Key Domestic Stats (First-Class):
- Matches: 100+
- Runs: 8,000+
- Average: ~54
- Highest Score: 309*
This performance paved the way for India’s selectors to take notice, and soon Rohit was part of the 2007 T20 World Cup squad.
🌍 International Debut – Entering the Indian Team
🎯 T20I Debut:
- Date: September 19, 2007, vs England
- Highlight: Part of the 2007 T20 World Cup winning squad
🎯 ODI Debut:
- Date: June 23, 2007, vs Ireland
Rohit’s breakthrough moment came in the 2007–08 CB series in Australia, where he scored a match-winning 66 against Sri Lanka and a classy 70 against Australia in the final. His temperament in tough overseas conditions showed his potential.
🚀 The Real Breakthrough – Opening the Batting
For years, Rohit was inconsistent in the middle order. Everything changed when MS Dhoni promoted him as an opener in 2013 during the Champions Trophy.
🏆 ICC Champions Trophy 2013:
- Opening partner with Shikhar Dhawan
- Helped India remain unbeaten and win the title
Since then, Rohit has become one of the most successful opening batsmen in cricket history.
ODI Cricket – Rohit Sharma’s Kingdom
Rohit Sharma is a colossal figure in ODI cricket, especially after becoming an opener.
ODI Career Highlights:
- Matches: 260+
- Runs: 10,000+
- Average: ~49
- Strike Rate: 90+
- Centuries: 31+
- Fifties: 50+
- Highest Score: 264 (World Record)
🏆 World Record – 264 vs Sri Lanka (2014)
Rohit Sharma holds the record for the highest individual score in ODI history.
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Balls: 173
- Fours: 33
- Sixes: 9
No batsman has touched 264 since. This innings remains one of the greatest feats in white-ball cricket.
🎯 ODI Double Centuries:
- 209 vs Australia (2013)
- 264 vs Sri Lanka (2014)
- 208 vs Sri Lanka (2017)*
👉 Only player in history with 3 ODI double hundreds
🏆 ICC Cricket World Cup 2019
- Runs: 648 (Highest in the tournament)
- Centuries: 5 (World Cup record)
Rohit was in peak form during the 2019 World Cup, making history by scoring 5 centuries in a single edition.
T20I Cricket – Six-Hitting Machine
Rohit is among the most destructive T20I batsmen ever.
🧨 T20I Stats:
- Matches: 150+
- Runs: 4,000+
- Strike Rate: 135+
- Centuries: 5 (Most in T20Is)
He is also the first player to hit 5 T20I centuries, proving his prowess in the shortest format.
🏏 Memorable T20I Knocks:
- 118 vs Sri Lanka (Fastest T20I hundred for India)
- 100 vs England (Chase masterclass)
- 89 vs Pakistan (Asia Cup)*
🧱 Test Career – Patience Rewarded
Despite debuting in 2013, Rohit had a stop-start Test career until 2019.
Test Stats:
- Matches: 60+
- Runs: 4,000+
- Average: ~45
- Centuries: 10+
- Highest Score: 212
🏠 Home Record:
- One of the best home records among modern-day openers
- Domination against South Africa (2019) with twin centuries
🛫 Overseas Success:
- 2021 England Tour: Century at the Oval
- WTC Final 2023: Gritty 40s despite team collapse
🧠 Rohit Sharma the Captain – Calm, Tactical, and Sharp
🇮🇳 India’s Full-Time Captain (2022 Onwards)
Took over all formats from Virat Kohli and led India with a composed, strategic mindset.
✅ Major Captaincy Wins:
- 2023 Asia Cup: Champions
- ICC World Cup 2023: Undefeated till final
- 2022 T20 World Cup Semi-finalist
Rohit is known for backing players and his field placements, especially in pressure situations.
🏆 IPL Career – The Face of Mumbai Indians
🔥 Captain of Mumbai Indians (MI):
- IPL Titles: 5 (Most by any captain)
- Matches: 240+
- Runs: 6,000+
- Strike Rate: 130+
💡 IPL Achievements:
- 5 IPL trophies: 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020
- Most successful IPL captain after MS Dhoni
- Led MI to become a powerhouse franchise
🎖️ Awards and Achievements
- Arjuna Award (2015)
- Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2020)
- ICC ODI Player of the Year (2019)
- ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year Nominee (2023)
💬 Nickname – Why “Hitman”?
Rohit earned the nickname “Hitman” for his clean six-hitting and ability to accelerate with elegance. He often makes batting look effortless — a trait admired by fans and critics alike.
Partnerships That Defined an Era
- With Shikhar Dhawan: Most 100+ opening stands in ODIs
- With Virat Kohli: Several 200+ partnerships
- With MS Dhoni: Match-winning stands in ICC events
🌍 Global Popularity
Rohit Sharma is not only loved in India but commands a massive fan base globally.
- Social media followers: 100M+
- Brand endorsements: Adidas, Oakley, CEAT, Dream11
- Voice for wildlife and environmental causes
🏟️ Legendary Innings – A Timeline
| Year | Opponent | Format | Runs | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | South Africa | T20I | 50* | Durban |
| 2013 | Australia | ODI | 209 | Bengaluru |
| 2014 | Sri Lanka | ODI | 264 | Kolkata |
| 2019 | Pakistan | ODI WC | 140 | Manchester |
| 2019 | Bangladesh | Test | 176 | Visakhapatnam |
| 2021 | England | Test | 127 | The Oval |
| 2023 | Afghanistan | ODI WC | 131 | Delhi |
🧬 Rohit Sharma’s Legacy
Rohit has redefined what it means to be an opener in limited-overs cricket. From struggling with consistency to becoming one of the most dependable and explosive players in the world, his journey is a blueprint for modern cricketing success.
- Calm leader, explosive batsman
- Only player with 3 ODI double hundreds
- Record-holder in World Cups and T20Is
- One of India’s most decorated and beloved cricketers
💡 FAQs
Q: How many double centuries does Rohit Sharma have in ODIs?
A: Rohit Sharma has 3 double centuries – the most by any player in ODI cricket.
Q: What is Rohit Sharma’s highest score in international cricket?
A: His highest score is 264 in ODIs, the highest ever in the format.
Q: How many centuries does Rohit Sharma have in World Cups?
A: Rohit has 7 World Cup centuries, including a record 5 in the 2019 edition.
Q: How many IPL titles has Rohit Sharma won as a captain?
A: Rohit has led Mumbai Indians to 5 IPL titles.
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