Rohit Sharma: The Hitman of Indian Cricket
Introduction
Rohit Sharma, popularly known as the “Hitman,” is one of the most celebrated cricketers in the history of Indian cricket. His impeccable batting skills, ability to score big runs, and calm leadership have made him a key player for Team India. He is known for his elegant stroke play, aggressive approach, and exceptional ability to convert starts into big innings.
Early Life and Cricket Journey
Rohit Sharma was born on April 30, 1987, in Bansod, Nagpur, Maharashtra. He was raised in a modest background but showed early signs of cricketing brilliance. He joined a cricket camp at a young age and soon caught the attention of coaches with his natural talent. His breakthrough came in 2006 when he played for India in the U-19 World Cup.
Rise in International Cricket
Debut and Early Struggles
Rohit Sharma made his international debut for India in an ODI against Ireland in 2007. Though he displayed immense talent, he struggled to secure a permanent place in the team due to inconsistency.
Transformation as an Opener
The turning point in his career came in 2013 when former Indian captain MS Dhoni promoted him to open the innings. This decision changed Rohit’s career as he started scoring big runs consistently. He formed a formidable opening partnership with Shikhar Dhawan and became one of the most dominant ODI openers in the world.
Records and Achievements
Three Double Centuries in ODIs
Rohit Sharma is the only cricketer to have scored three double centuries in One Day Internationals (ODIs):
- 209 vs Australia (2013)
- 264 vs Sri Lanka (2014) – The highest individual score in ODIs
- 208 vs Sri Lanka (2017)*
Fastest T20I Century
Rohit Sharma holds the record for the fastest T20I century by an Indian, scoring a hundred in just 35 balls against Sri Lanka in 2017.
Multiple IPL Titles
As the captain of Mumbai Indians (MI), Rohit has led his team to multiple Indian Premier League (IPL) titles, making MI the most successful franchise in IPL history.
Test Cricket Brilliance
Though initially overlooked in Test cricket, Rohit proved his ability as a Test opener in 2019. He scored twin centuries in his debut match as an opener against South Africa. He also played a crucial role in India’s victory in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (2020-21).
Leadership and Captaincy
Rohit Sharma took over as India’s full-time captain across formats in 2022. Under his leadership, India reached the ICC Cricket World Cup final in 2023 and performed well in multiple tournaments. His calm and composed nature, along with his tactical brilliance, has earned him praise as a leader.
Recent Comeback: “Hitman is Back”
Rohit Sharma recently made a stunning comeback in international cricket by scoring a match-winning 119 runs off 90 balls against England in the second ODI on February 9, 2025. This innings marked a return to form and gave a major boost to India’s preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy. Fans and cricket experts were thrilled to see their favorite batsman back in action.