Rohit Sharma Explained: Multiple ODI Double Centuries and T20 World Cup Captain
Who Rohit Sharma is — the Indian opener with three ODI double centuries (the only player in history to achieve this), his transformation from middle-order batter to explosive opener, and his 2024 T20 World Cup captaincy.
Rohit Gurunath Sharma (born 1987 in Nagpur) is one of India's most successful white-ball batters and served as India's Test captain from 2022 until his retirement from Tests in May 2025. He holds the record for the most double centuries in ODI cricket — three, including the world-record highest ODI score (264 against Sri Lanka in 2014). Nicknamed 'Hitman' for his explosive stroke play, Rohit transformed from an inconsistent middle-order batter into one of Test cricket's most reliable openers — a positional change in 2019 that revitalised his Test career.
Three ODI Double Centuries
No batter in ODI cricket history has scored three double centuries — Rohit Sharma is the sole holder of this record. His 264 against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens Kolkata in 2014 is the highest individual score in ODI history; he scored his first ODI double century (209) against Australia in 2013; and his third (208 not out) against Sri Lanka in 2017. Rohit's ability to construct very large ODI innings reflects his exceptional hand-eye coordination, ability to pace an innings across 50 overs, and the specific advantage of batting at Wankhede and Eden Gardens on flat subcontinental surfaces against bowling attacks that offered limited variation at the death.
Opening in Tests
Rohit Sharma's Test career had two distinct phases. From 2013–2019, he batted in the middle order — an inconsistent period where his natural attacking game was constrained by batting at positions 5 or 6. In 2019, India tried Rohit as a Test opener in home series against South Africa; he scored two centuries in the series and never looked back. As a Test opener, Rohit averaged over 54 in his first three years, including crucial innings in the 2021 tour of England and the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy — India's 4–1 victory in the five-Test series played in Australia.
Hitman Style
Rohit's nickname 'Hitman' derives from his explosive strike-play — particularly his ability to hit sixes off his pads and through the leg side with extraordinary ease. His pull shot is one of the most cleanly struck in international cricket; his ability to hit pace bowling over mid-wicket from outside off stump (an unusual angle) reflects exceptional wrist strength and eye. In limited-overs cricket, Rohit is one of the highest run-scorers in T20 internationals and has scored more T20I runs than any other batter across his career period.
Frequently asked questions
How many ODI double centuries has Rohit Sharma scored?
Three — the only batter in ODI history to achieve this. His scores are 264 (vs Sri Lanka, 2014) — the world record highest ODI score — 209 (vs Australia, 2013), and 208 not out (vs Sri Lanka, 2017). All three were scored in India on subcontinental surfaces.
When did Rohit Sharma become a Test opener?
2019 — India tried Rohit as a Test opener against South Africa at home after years of inconsistency in the middle order. He responded with two centuries in the series and transformed into one of India's most reliable Test openers, averaging over 54 in his first three years in that role.
Did Rohit Sharma win the T20 World Cup?
Yes — as captain of India in the 2024 T20 World Cup (held in USA and West Indies), Rohit led India unbeaten through the tournament, defeating South Africa in the final. He also won the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy (beating New Zealand by 4 wickets), before retiring from Tests and ODIs in 2025. The T20 WC was his final T20 international tournament as he announced his T20I retirement afterward.