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India National Cricket Team captain Rohit Sharma has reached a significant milestone in the annals of international cricket. The right-handed opener has become only the third Indian, following Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar, and the tenth batter overall, to accumulate 15,000 runs as an opening batsman across all formats of the game.
Sharma achieved this remarkable feat during the ongoing first ODI against Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo on Friday, August 2nd. In this opening match of the three-game series, India successfully limited Sri Lanka to 230 runs on a challenging pitch for batsmen.
Rohit Sharma, leading from the front, has provided his team with a dynamic start, showcasing an array of superb shots that made it seem as though he was playing on a different surface.
Rohit Sharma made an assertive statement right from the outset by advancing down the pitch on just the second ball to launch a colossal six, setting a high tone for his innings. Since that explosive start, Sharma has been a relentless force, showing no signs of slowing down and posing a significant threat to the Sri Lankan bowlers.
Taking full control, Sharma unleashed a barrage of shots, sending the Sri Lankan bowlers on a wild chase and scoring at a brisk rate. His aggressive performance has given India a formidable start in their pursuit of 230 runs.
Sharma reached his half-century during the powerplay, achieving the milestone in just 33 balls. His impressive innings has drawn praise from head coach Gautam Gambhir, who has lauded Sharma for his spectacular display in the ongoing first ODI against Sri Lanka.
Rohit Sharma has been playing with a dynamic and aggressive style, maintaining a strike rate exceeding 120. His form suggested that he was on track for a substantial century. Despite providing a strong start for his team, Sharma must be disappointed not to have stayed at the crease until the end and guided India to victory.
Sharma’s innings concluded at 58 runs off 47 balls, featuring a strike rate of over 123. He struck 7 fours and 3 sixes during his time at the crease. Additionally, he has now achieved the record for the most sixes hit by any captain in international cricket.
Rohit Sharma scores his third fifty in the powerplay in ODI history.
Rohit Sharma reached his half-century in just 33 balls, marking the third time he has achieved this milestone within the powerplay as an opening batter.
Most fifties inside the first 10 overs by an Indian batter (ODI)
7 Virender Sehwag
3 Rohit Sharma
1 Sachin Tendulkar
1 Robin Uthappa
1 Gautam Gambhir
He also became the second fastest opener in the history of cricket to score 15000 runs.
Fastest to 15000 runs as an opener:
331 innings – Sachin Tendulkar
352 innings – Rohit Sharma*
361 innings – David Warner
In international cricket, Rohit Sharma has amassed a total of 19,077 runs. The opening batter has registered 104 half-centuries and 48 centuries across all formats. Given his current form, it would be no surprise if he surpasses the 20,000-run mark in the near future.
