IND vs SL: Veteran Indian opening batsman and Indian team skipper is back playing in ODIs for the Men in Blue first time since their defeat at the CWC 2023 at the hands of Australia in the finals. The skipper recently won the T20 World Cup and under Gambhir’s behest was back for the ODI series against Sri Lanka.
The veteran batter is often said to be one of the greatest to have played in the modern game, as he turns out to be world’s best players among openers. Rohit already has several records in white-ball cricket, from scoring 3 double-tons in ODI cricket, to a highest individual score in an ODI innings with 264 against the same Lankan side.
Records achieved by Skipper Rohit Sharma in First ODI against Sri Lanka
Most International Sixes as a Captain
In the first ODI, Rohit soon launched a brutal attack on the Lankan bowlers, as he scored a fastrack 50 in just 33 balls. He neared many records and broke a bunch of them as well. With 3 sixes in his innings he went past England’s Eoin Morgan for the most sixes as a Captain of an international team.
Most 50+ scores in the First 10-overs of an ODI game
Rohit now also follows legendary Indian opener, Virendar Sehwag, in most no.of 50 plus scores scored within the first 10-overs. As Sehwag as 7 of them under his belt, Rohit Sharma also follows with 3 of them.
Most 50s as an Opening batsman in ODI cricket
Rohit in his last match’s 50, went passed several greats as opener, as he scored his 120th 50+ score in ODI cricket only to be left behind Aussie veteran David Warner, who has 146 such innings, this is combined stats for international as well as domestic cricket.
Most Runs in International Cricket as an Opener
His most exciting stat also came as an opener in international cricket, as Sharma now has 15000 runs in internationals as an opener, across formats combined, only behind the likes of two legendary Indian openers, Sachin Tendulkar (15335) and Virender Sehwag (16119).
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Foreseen Records that could be achieved by Skipper Rohit Sharma in Second ODI against Sri Lanka
In the second ODI, where Rohit came into bat while India are to chase a total of 241, he achieved another milestone as he went past Legendary Indian batter and former world cup winning coach Rahul Dravid, in the most ODI runs scored for India. Dravid who has 10768 runs now falls behind the Indian skipper who recently picked a single off Asitha Fernando, to reach the landmark of 10769 runs.
The fans did not had to wait long to cheer again, as Rohit now surpassed the likes of legendary Indian skipper and wk-batter, MS Dhoni who had 10,773 runs. Rohit hit two fours of Wellalage to go past Mahendra Singh Dhoni including runs for the Asian team as well.
Rohit also simultaneously went past Sourav Ganguly on the list for most ODI runs on Asian soil, as he now has advanced to the sixth spot. Also the like of a big knock, 78 might make him the sixth batter to complete 2000 ODI runs against the same opposition Sri Lanka. He will feature himself alongside greats, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Saeed Anwar and Inzamam-ul-Haq.
What awaits the Indian team is doubtful, yet Rohit Sharma if back in the groove will be a great sight to watch, as he seems to be in some great touch and is likely to send a strong message of his form and brilliance prior to the Champions Trophy 2025.
