Rohit Sharma, the captain of Team India, has been a prominent figure in Indian cricket for many years. His journey from a middle-order batsman to one of the world’s premier opening batsmen is nothing short of remarkable. Under the captaincy of MS Dhoni in 2017, Rohit was promoted as an opener, a move that reshaped his career and led to a string of extraordinary performances. In this article, we delve into Rohit Sharma’s transformation, his incredible records, and why he continues to be a formidable force in India’s batting lineup.
Rohit Sharma’s journey to the top of the order began when MS Dhoni, known for his shrewd cricketing acumen, recognized his potential as an opener. This strategic decision laid the foundation for Rohit’s spectacular rise in international cricket. His ability to read the game and construct innings made him a perfect fit for the role.
One of Rohit Sharma’s most extraordinary feats is his three double-centuries in One Day Internationals (ODIs). This remarkable achievement solidified his reputation as a modern-day cricketing legend. His innings of 209 against Australia in 2013, 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014, and 208* against Sri Lanka in 2017 remain etched in cricketing history.
The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup showcased Rohit’s prowess on the grandest stage. He scored five centuries in the tournament, the most by any player in a single World Cup edition. His consistent run-scoring was instrumental in India’s journey to the semi-finals.
Even at the age of 36, Rohit Sharma continues to be a force to be reckoned with. A recent Asia Cup Super 4 clash against Pakistan demonstrated his aggressive intent as he took on the formidable pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah. Rohit’s innings of 56 off just 49 balls showcased his ability to dominate the opposition.
Rohit’s exceptional batting skills have earned him the tag of a “captain’s nightmare.” Ravichandran Ashwin, discussing Rohit on his YouTube channel, shared a conversation he had with Virat Kohli.
“5-6 years back, Virat Kohli and I discussed while Rohit was batting. I don’t remember which match it was. Seeing Rohit bat, I was thinking, “Where do you even bowl to him? If Rohit is set after 15-20 overs, you wouldn’t know where to bowl to him. Virat asked me, “Do you know who is a captain’s nightmare at the death?
“I asked, “Is it Dhoni?” Kohli was like, “No, it is Rohit.” When I asked him why, he said you won’t know where to bowl,” recalled Ashwin.
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One of the most iconic moments in Rohit Sharma’s career is his breathtaking 264-run innings against Sri Lanka in 2014. This remains the highest individual score in an ODI match. Rohit’s ability to anchor innings and accelerate when needed was on full display during this historic knock.
Ashwin further emphasized that Rohit Sharma makes batting look effortless. With an array of shots in his repertoire, Rohit can dismantle any bowling attack. His ability to adapt to different formats and conditions is a testament to his cricketing genius.
“If Rohit Sharma is batting at the end of the 16th over in a T20, where will you bowl? He has got all the shots in the book and once he played an extraordinary knock in Chinnaswamy stadium that Kohli can never forget, it seems. Rohit Sharma has got all the shots, and he makes it look so effortless and easy.”
