Rohit Sharma: The Hitman of Indian Cricket
A complete guide to Rohit Sharma — India's captain, the only ODI batsman to score three double-centuries, 10,000+ ODI runs, and the leader who guided India to their first T20 World Cup title since 2007 in 2024.
Rohit Sharma is India's most celebrated white-ball batsman — the Test opener who transformed his career by moving to the top of the order in 2019, before retiring from all international cricket in 2025. He is the only batsman in history to score three ODI double-centuries — including 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014, the highest individual score in ODI cricket history. He scored over 10,000 ODI runs, captained India to the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup title and 2025 Champions Trophy, and led the Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles.
Three ODI Double Centuries
Born on 30 April 1987 in Bansod, Nagpur, Rohit Sharma made his ODI debut in 2007 and established himself as a middle-order batsman of exceptional talent. His first double-century came in 2013 — an astonishing 209 against Australia. His 264 against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens in November 2014 broke Chris Gayle's then-record of 215* to become the highest ODI score ever, including 33 fours and 9 sixes. He then added a third ODI double-century — 208* against Sri Lanka in 2017 — making him the only batsman in history to score three ODI 200s.
Conversion to Test Opener
Rohit's conversion from middle-order batsman to Test opener in 2019 was one of Indian cricket's great experiments. He had never opened in Test cricket before, but Virat Kohli and the selectors decided his white-ball experience of starting an innings would translate. It worked instantly: Rohit averaged 73 in his debut Test series as opener against South Africa. He went on to score Test centuries in England — a notoriously difficult venue for Indian batsmen — and at the Oval during the 2021 series.
2024 T20 World Cup Captain
Rohit captained India to the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in the West Indies, where India went unbeaten through the tournament to defeat South Africa in the final in Barbados. India had not won an ICC T20 World Cup since the inaugural 2007 tournament, and Rohit's leadership of a young, aggressive batting unit through pressure moments in the knockout rounds demonstrated his tactical acumen and man-management. He retired from T20I cricket after the tournament.
Career Statistics
| Format | Mat | Runs | Avg | 100s | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 67+ | 4,300+ | 46.0 | 12 | 212 |
| ODIs | 264 | 10,709 | 48.86 | 30 | 264 |
| T20Is | 159 | 4,231 | 32.05 | 5 | 118 |
Frequently asked questions
What is Rohit Sharma's highest ODI score?
Rohit Sharma's highest ODI score is 264 against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on 13 November 2014 — the highest individual score in ODI cricket history. He hit 33 fours and 9 sixes from 173 balls, with India posting 404/5.
How many ODI double centuries has Rohit Sharma scored?
Rohit Sharma has scored three ODI double-centuries — 209 against Australia in 2013, 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014, and 208* against Sri Lanka in 2017. He is the only batsman in history to score three individual ODI double-hundreds.
When did Rohit Sharma retire from T20I cricket?
Rohit Sharma retired from T20 international cricket after India won the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in the West Indies, defeating South Africa in the final. He scored consistently throughout the tournament and led India to their first T20 World Cup title since 2007, after which he stepped down from the format alongside Virat Kohli.