NEW DELHI: Team India skipper and batting maestro Rohit Sharma displayed his batting acumen in the second ODI against England at Cuttack on Sunday.
His scintillating century not only guided India to a four-wicket victory but also etched his name alongside cricketing legends.
With his dominant knock of 119 off 90 balls, Rohit surpassed the great Sachin Tendulkar to become the second-highest run-getter for India as an opener in international cricket.
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As an opener, he now has 15,404 runs in 343 matches at an average of 45.43, edging past Sachin’s 15,335 runs in 346 matches across all formats of the game. The record for most runs as an Indian opener still belongs to Virender Sehwag (15,758 runs), but Rohit is now within striking distance.
Team India’s all-time run-getters list
Virender Sehwag – 15,758 runs (321 matches)
Rohit Sharma – 15,404 runs (343 matches)
Sachin Tendulkar – 15,335 runs (346 matches)
Sunil Gavaskar – 12,258 runs (202 matches)
Shikhar Dhawan – 10,867 runs (268 matches)
Rohit’s innings also saw him enter the elite list of the top 10 highest run-getters in ODI history, overtaking Rahul Dravid’s tally of 10,889 runs. He now sits at 10,987 runs in 267 ODIs at an impressive average of 49.26 and a strike rate of 92.70, with 32 centuries and 57 fifties.
Top 10 highest run-getters in ODI history
- Sachin Tendulkar (IND) – 18,426 runs (463 matches)
- Kumar Sangakkara (SL/Asia/ICC) – 14,234 runs (404 matches)
- Virat Kohli (IND) – 13,911 runs (296 matches)
- Ricky Ponting (AUS/ICC) – 13,704 runs (375 matches)
- Sanath Jayasuriya (SL/Asia) – 13,430 runs (445 matches)
- Mahela Jayawardene (SL/Asia) – 12,650 runs (448 matches)
- Inzamam-ul-Haq (PAK/Asia) – 11,739 runs (378 matches)
- Jacques Kallis (SA/ICC/Africa) – 11,579 runs (328 matches)
- Sourav Ganguly (IND/Asia) – 11,363 runs (311 matches)
- Rohit Sharma (IND) – 10,987 runs (267 matches)
The Hitman’s innings was a masterclass in timing and power-hitting. After a lean patch, he silenced his critics by dismantling the English attack with 12 fours and seven sixes at a blistering strike rate of 132.22. His dominance at the crease had the packed Cuttack crowd on its feet, relishing every stroke of brilliance.
Rohit’s performance also put him within touching distance of history in power-hitting. With his seven sixes, he surpassed Chris Gayle (331 sixes) to claim the second spot in the list of most sixes in men’s ODIs. Rohit now has 338 sixes, with only Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi (351) ahead of him.
In the match, England, after opting to bat, posted a competitive 304, courtesy of Joe Root (69), Ben Duckett (65), and late cameos from Liam Livingstone (41) and Jos Buttler (34).
Ravindra Jadeja was India’s standout bowler with three wickets. In response, Rohit and Shubman Gill (60) gave India a solid start with a 136-run stand. Shreyas Iyer (44) and Axar Patel (41 not out) played key roles in sealing India’s four-wicket win.
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With this victory, Rohit also equaled the legendary Viv Richards with 36 ODI wins as captain. He now sits just behind Clive Lloyd, Ricky Ponting, and Virat Kohli (all tied at 39).
As India marches forward in the series, Rohit Sharma’s form is not just a boost for the team but also a reminder of why he is regarded as one of the finest batters of his generation.
