Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma (born April 30, 1987) is an Indian international cricketer who serves as the captain of the Indian national cricket team in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). He is widely regarded as one of the greatest opening batsmen in limited-overs cricket history, holding the record for the highest individual score in ODIs (264) 1.
Rohit is the only player to have scored three double centuries in ODIs, a feat that has made him one of the most dominant limited-overs batsmen in international cricket. He has led India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup as captain, marking India's second T20 World Cup title 4.
Early Life and Domestic Career
Rohit was born on April 30, 1987, in Nagpur, Maharashtra. He grew up in Borivali, Mumbai, and attended St. Xavier's School in Mumbai. He began playing cricket at a young age and was part of the Mumbai Under-15 team at age 12. He made his domestic debut for Mumbai in 2005 and quickly established himself as a talented young batsman 5.
His breakthrough came in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, where he played crucial cameos in the tournament that India won. This performance earned him a place in the Indian team across formats.
International Career
Early Years (2007-2013)
Rohit made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in June 2007. Initially struggled to secure a regular spot in the team, but his performance in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, where he scored 85 in the quarterfinal against Australia, cemented his place in the side as a key middle-order batsman 2.
Rise as an Opener (2013-2019)
In 2013, Rohit was promoted to open the innings in ODIs, and the move transformed his career. He scored his first double century (141) against Australia in 2013, becoming the first Indian to score a double century in ODIs. He followed this with 209 against Australia later that year, and 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014—the highest individual score in ODIs 1.
This period saw Rohit compile remarkable statistics: he became the first and only player to score three double centuries in ODIs, with scores of 141, 209, and 264. His 264 against Sri Lanka remains the highest individual score in ODIs 5.
Captaincy (2021-Present)
Rohit was named captain of the Indian T20I team in 2021 and took over as ODI captain in 2022 after Virat Kohli stepped down. Under his captaincy, India won the 2024 T20 World Cup, defeating South Africa in the final. This victory marked India's second T20 World Cup title and first since 2007 4.
He also led India to the finals of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Indian Premier League
Rohit has been a prominent figure in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since its inception in 2008. He has played for Deccan Chargers (2008-2010), Mumbai Indians (2011-2013), and again Mumbai Indians from 2014 onwards 2.
With Mumbai Indians, Rohit has won five IPL titles (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020), making him one of the most successful captains in IPL history. He took over as captain of Mumbai Indians in 2013 and led them to multiple championships.
Career Statistics
| Format | Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | Centuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 57 | 4,115 | 212 | 48.42 | 58.02 | 10 |
| ODI | 271 | 10,158 | 264* | 49.10 | 78.23 | 31 |
| T20I | 159 | 4,023 | 121* | 32.46 | 79.30 | 6 |
Records and Achievements
Rohit holds numerous records in limited-overs cricket:
- Highest individual score in ODIs (264 against Sri Lanka, 2014)
- Only player to score three double centuries in ODIs
- Most runs in a single IPL season (733 in 2013)
- Most sixes in an ODI innings (16 vs Australia, 2013)
- First Indian to win T20 World Cup as captain (2024)
Awards and Honors
Rohit has received several major awards:
- ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year: 2019
- Arjuna Award: 2017
- Padma Shri: 2021
- Wisden Cricketer of the Year: 2025
- Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy: 2024
Personal Life
Rohit is married to Ritika Sajdeh, a sports enthusiast and fashion designer. They have one daughter. Off the field, Rohit is known for his calm demeanor and tactical acumen as a captain. His ability to read game situations and make tactical changes has been widely praised by cricket analysts 3.
He is also involved in charitable work through the Rohit Sharma Foundation, which supports underprivileged children and promotes sports development in India.