ROHIT SHARMA
When i had to go and sleep at night, i used to realise how tired i was, and at that age, you are not supposed to be so tired. but you used to get tired travelling 2 hours in a local train, then playing cricket for 5–6 hours, and then travelling back again. and you were not sure whether you’d get a seat, so you had to stand with your 15 kg kit bag on your shoulders. i have no complaints, i have no regrets. i enjoyed that, and that is what made me what i am today.
these are the words of rohit from an interview where he shared his childhood cricket memories. from his words, we can understand his struggles. but he was not ready to give up — and that is where the journey of rohit gurunath sharma to the “hitman” began.
Rohit sharma was born on 30 april 1987 in bansod, nagpur, Maharashtra, India. his parents are gurunath sharma and purnima sharma. rohit’s father worked as a caretaker of a transport firm’s storehouse. his family faced financial struggles during his early years, making it difficult for them to afford his school fees, which were reportedly around ₹275. due to these financial constraints, he initially lived with his grandparents and uncle in borivli, mumbai.
Rohit’s interest in cricket began early in his life. His uncle enrolled him in a local cricket camp at the age of 11, and later found a coach in Dinesh lad, who identified his potential and guided him. Lad also helped rohit to secure a scholarship to continue his cricket training without a financial burden.
Rohit made his first A-level debut for West Zone against Central Zone in the Deodhar Trophy. Batting at number 8, he scored 31 not out as West Zone won the match by 3 wickets. His unbeaten innings of 142 runs in 123 balls against North Zone in the same tournament brought him into the limelight.Rohit made his first-class debut for India A against New Zealand A at Darwin in July 2006.
He played his first Ranji Trophy match for Mumbai during the 2006–07 season. His debut game was against Gujarat. In that match, Rohit impressed with a solid performance, especially in the second innings, helping him gain attention from national selectors. However, his major breakthrough in domestic cricket came earlier in the 2005–06 season, during the Deodhar Trophy and the Under-19 World Cup, which set the stage for his Ranji debut.Rohit’s calm temperament, fluent stroke play, and ability to build an innings were evident from his early domestic games. His consistent performances for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy soon earned him a call-up to the Indian national team in 2007.
TWENTY-TWENTY
Rohit Sharma made his T20 international debut for India on September 19, 2007, against England during the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup held in South Africa. He was part of the Indian squad that won the tournament, marking India’s first major ICC title in the shortest format. Early in his T20I career, Rohit showed glimpses of his natural talent but was not immediately consistent. Over time, he developed into one of the most feared batsmen in the world, known for his elegant stroke play combined with powerful hitting.
Rohit holds the record for the most centuries in T20 internationals, having scored five hundreds — a remarkable achievement in a format where centuries are rare. His batsmanship is a perfect blend of timing, placement, and power, allowing him to accelerate the innings at crucial moments. With more than 3,800 runs in T20Is and a strike rate around 140, Rohit has been a match-winner on numerous occasions.
One of his most iconic innings came in 2017, when he scored 118 runs off just 43 balls against Sri Lanka in Indore — one of the fastest T20 centuries — helping India post a massive total. Rohit is also known for his calm and composed presence on the field, which helps him handle pressure effectively.
In 2021, Rohit was appointed India’s full-time T20I captain, succeeding Virat Kohli in the shortest format. Under his leadership, India has shown stability and strategic growth, with his captaincy praised for calmness and tactical decisions. He has led India in major ICC tournaments and bilateral series, guiding a balanced and experienced team.
Rohit Sharma’s captaincy in the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup marked a historic chapter in Indian cricket. Leading the team with strategic acumen and personal brilliance, he guided India to their second T20 World Cup title, ending an 11-year ICC trophy drought.
Rohit Sharma’s contribution to Indian T20 cricket goes beyond runs and records. His ability to inspire teammates, finish matches, and build innings from the start makes him one of the greatest T20 players in the world. His career is a testament to adaptability, skill, and leadership in international T20 cricket.
ODI'S
Rohit Sharma’s One Day International (ODI) career is a true testament to patience, talent, and transformation. He made his ODI debut for India on June 23, 2007, against Ireland in Belfast. Although he showed promise in his early years, he struggled for consistency while playing in the middle order. For several years, he remained in and out of the team, facing challenges in cementing his place in a competitive Indian lineup.
The turning point in Rohit’s ODI career came in 2013 when then-captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni promoted him to open the innings during the ICC Champions Trophy. The move proved to be a masterstroke. Rohit formed a successful opening partnership with Shikhar Dhawan and soon established himself as a world-class ODI batsman.
Known for his laid-back style and ability to build long innings, Rohit’s real strength is his capacity to convert starts into massive scores. He holds the record for the highest individual score in ODI history – 264 runs off 173 balls against Sri Lanka on November 13, 2014, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. This innings included 33 fours and 9 sixes and remains unbroken to this day.
Rohit Sharma is also the only batsman in the world to score three double centuries in ODIs – 209 against Australia in 2013, 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014, and 208* against Sri Lanka in 2017. These feats are extremely rare in limited-overs cricket and highlight his unique ability to maintain composure and accelerate at will.
In the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, Rohit was at the peak of his powers. He scored five centuries in the tournament – the most by any player in a single edition of the World Cup – and finished as the highest run-scorer with 648 runs. His consistent performances were instrumental in India reaching the semifinals.
Over the years, Rohit has consistently delivered against top teams and in big matches. He has scored centuries in all parts of the world, including England, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. His ODI record in home conditions is dominant, and his numbers in away matches have steadily improved.
As of 2025, Rohit Sharma has scored over 10,000 ODI runs, including 30+ centuries and 50+ half-centuries, with an average of around 48. His strike rate, near 90, reflects his ability to combine patience with aggression. He is also known for his signature pull shot and effortless six-hitting ability.
Rohit took over the full-time ODI captaincy in 2022 following Virat Kohli’s tenure. Under his leadership, India has seen a blend of experience and youth, strategic rotation of players, and a focus on stability. His calm demeanor, tactical intelligence, and vast experience have been praised by teammates and experts alike.
Rohit has captained India in multiple bilateral series and major tournaments, including the 2023 ICC World Cup held in India, where the team reached the final. Though India lost to Australia in the final, Rohit’s leadership and aggressive batting throughout the tournament were highly appreciated.
Rohit Sharma’s ODI career stands as a symbol of perseverance, technical excellence, and cricketing intelligence. From a promising talent to an ODI legend, he has proven himself to be one of the greatest 50-over players in the history of cricket.
ODI'S
Rohit Sharma’s One Day International (ODI) career is a true testament to patience, talent, and transformation. He made his ODI debut for India on June 23, 2007, against Ireland in Belfast. Although he showed promise in his early years, he struggled for consistency while playing in the middle order. For several years, he remained in and out of the team, facing challenges in cementing his place in a competitive Indian lineup.
The turning point in Rohit’s ODI career came in 2013 when then-captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni promoted him to open the innings during the ICC Champions Trophy. The move proved to be a masterstroke. Rohit formed a successful opening partnership with Shikhar Dhawan and soon established himself as a world-class ODI batsman.
Known for his laid-back style and ability to build long innings, Rohit’s real strength is his capacity to convert starts into massive scores. He holds the record for the highest individual score in ODI history – 264 runs off 173 balls against Sri Lanka on November 13, 2014, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. This innings included 33 fours and 9 sixes and remains unbroken to this day.
Rohit Sharma is also the only batsman in the world to score three double centuries in ODIs – 209 against Australia in 2013, 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014, and 208* against Sri Lanka in 2017. These feats are extremely rare in limited-overs cricket and highlight his unique ability to maintain composure and accelerate at will.
In the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, Rohit was at the peak of his powers. He scored five centuries in the tournament – the most by any player in a single edition of the World Cup – and finished as the highest run-scorer with 648 runs. His consistent performances were instrumental in India reaching the semifinals.
Over the years, Rohit has consistently delivered against top teams and in big matches. He has scored centuries in all parts of the world, including England, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. His ODI record in home conditions is dominant, and his numbers in away matches have steadily improved.
As of 2025, Rohit Sharma has scored over 10,000 ODI runs, including 30+ centuries and 50+ half-centuries, with an average of around 48. His strike rate, near 90, reflects his ability to combine patience with aggression. He is also known for his signature pull shot and effortless six-hitting ability.
Rohit took over the full-time ODI captaincy in 2022 following Virat Kohli’s tenure. Under his leadership, India has seen a blend of experience and youth, strategic rotation of players, and a focus on stability. His calm demeanor, tactical intelligence, and vast experience have been praised by teammates and experts alike.
Rohit has captained India in multiple bilateral series and major tournaments, including the 2023 ICC World Cup held in India, where the team reached the final. Though India lost to Australia in the final, Rohit’s leadership and aggressive batting throughout the tournament were highly appreciated.
Rohit Sharma’s ODI career stands as a symbol of perseverance, technical excellence, and cricketing intelligence. From a promising talent to an ODI legend, he has proven himself to be one of the greatest 50-over players in the history of cricket.
TEST
Rohit Sharma’s Test career has been a journey of patience, transformation, and success. He made his Test debut for India on November 6, 2013, against the West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. He scored a century on debut (177 runs), followed by another century in his second match (111*), making a strong entry into the longest format. However, after a promising start, he struggled with consistency, mainly when playing overseas, and was dropped from the team multiple times between 2014 and 2018.
Rohit’s Test career took a new direction in 2019 when he was promoted to open the innings during India’s home series against South Africa. This move proved to be a turning point, as he scored 529 runs in 3 Tests, including a double century (212), and finished as the highest run-scorer of the series. From there, Rohit established himself as a reliable Test opener, both in home conditions and on difficult foreign pitches.
He has scored Test centuries in England, Australia, and India, including a match-winning 127 at The Oval in 2021, which was his first Test hundred outside Asia. He was also part of the historic Border-Gavaskar series win in Australia in 2020–21, where his solid starts helped lay foundations for India’s success.
As of 2025, Rohit Sharma has scored over 4,000 runs in Tests, with an average of around 45, including multiple centuries and fifties. He is known for his ability to blend classic Test technique with natural aggression, making him dangerous even in the longest format. His patience, shot selection, and confidence at the top have brought stability to India’s Test batting.
Rohit became the full-time Test captain in 2022 and led the team in major series, including the World Test Championship final 2023 against Australia. Though India lost that match, Rohit’s leadership was appreciated for bringing unity and calmness to the team.
Rohit Sharma’s Test career is a remarkable story of a player who reinvented himself to succeed in the most challenging format. From a middle-order batsman to a dependable Test opener and leader, he has earned his place among India’s modern Test greats.
IPL
Rohit Sharma’s Indian Premier League (IPL) career is one of the most successful and decorated in the tournament’s history. He made his IPL debut in 2008 with the Deccan Chargers and played a key role in their title win in 2009. In 2011, he was bought by the Mumbai Indians, which marked the beginning of a new era for both the franchise and Rohit himself. In 2013, Rohit was appointed captain of Mumbai Indians and led the team to its first IPL title that same year.
Under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, Mumbai Indians have won the IPL title five times — in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020 — making him the most successful captain in IPL history, tied with MS Dhoni. His calm and strategic approach, combined with astute decision-making and backing of young talents, has been instrumental in building a strong, balanced team.
As a batsman, Rohit has been consistent and explosive, scoring over 6,000 runs in the IPL, including a century and dozens of fifties. He is known for his classy strokeplay, timing, and ability to perform under pressure. He has often played the role of an anchor, as well as a finisher, depending on the match situation.
Rohit is also renowned for his leadership during big games, consistently delivering strategic brilliance in playoffs and finals. His ability to maintain team unity and mentor young players like Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Suryakumar Yadav has been crucial to Mumbai Indians’ success.
As of 2025, Rohit Sharma is one of the most respected leaders in the IPL, both for his individual performances and his captaincy record. His legacy in the tournament is cemented as a true IPL legend who has combined talent, strategy, and consistency to achieve unmatched success.
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