Indian cricket fans have yet another reason to celebrate as the Indian captain, Rohit Sharma, has made history by shattering a long-standing record held by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. This historic achievement took place during the second One Day International (ODI) of the India vs Sri Lanka series. Rohit Sharma, maintaining his exceptional form from the first game of the series, hit another fifty-plus score during the run-chase of the second match, marking a momentous occasion in international cricket.
Rohit Sharma’s latest fifty-plus score was his second consecutive one in the series, and it has propelled him past Sachin Tendulkar in a significant milestone. Rohit now holds the record for the most fifty-plus scores among Indian openers in international cricket. This achievement is nothing short of remarkable as Rohit’s 121st fifty-plus score as an opener places him above Sachin, who had previously held the record with 120 such scores at the top of the order.
It’s noteworthy that Rohit Sharma’s accomplishment places him in an elite list of cricketers globally. He stands sixth in the overall list of players with the most fifty-plus scores while opening the batting in international cricket. The list is currently led by Australia’s David Warner, who boasts an impressive 146 such scores in 374 matches. Following Warner is Chris Gayle of the West Indies, with 144 fifty-plus scores in 441 matches. Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya, with 136 in 506 matches, occupies the third spot, while West Indian Desmond Haynes and South African Graeme Smith follow with 131 and 125 fifty-plus scores, respectively. Rohit Sharma’s 121 fifty-plus scores have come in 334 matches, marking an astounding achievement for the Indian skipper.
Here is a quick look at the list of most fifty-plus scores by openers in international cricket:
1. David Warner: 146 in 374 matches
2. Chris Gayle: 144 in 441 matches
3. Sanath Jayasuriya: 136 in 506 matches
4. Desmond Haynes: 131 in 354 matches
5. Graeme Smith: 125 in 342 matches
6.
. Rohit Sharma: 121 in 334 matches
In addition to this milestone, Rohit Sharma also surpassed another significant benchmark. He went past former Indian skipper MS Dhoni in the list of most runs scored by Indian players in ODIs. MS Dhoni had amassed 10,773 ODI runs throughout his illustrious career. Rohit needed just seven runs to surpass Dhoni, and he did so with remarkable ease.
With this, Rohit Sharma now stands as the fifth-highest run-scorer for India in ODIs. The list of Indian run-scorers in ODIs is topped by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, followed by the prolific Virat Kohli, the esteemed Sourav Ganguly, and the steadfast Rahul Dravid.
The Indian skipper has been in sublime form, showcasing his class and skill in the series. In the second ODI, Rohit got off to a blistering start, attacking Sri Lankan bowler Dunith Wellalage from the get-go. Rohit’s aggressive approach saw him displaying his trademark shots, including a six off a pull shot. He reached his fifty in just 29 balls, marked by another six, further cementing his reputation as one of the most explosive and dependable openers in the game.
However, Rohit Sharma’s innings was cut short after he reached 64 runs. In the 14th over of the match, while attempting a reverse-hit off Jeffrey Vandersay, Rohit fell prey to an outstanding piece of fielding by Pathum Nissanka. Fielding at backward point, Nissanka had to run to his right and dive to complete a stunning catch, bringing an end to Rohit’s spectacular innings.
Earlier in the match, Sri Lanka batted first and put up a competitive total of 240/9. Their innings was bolstered by significant contributions from Kamindu Mendis and Dunith Wellalage, who helped them post a respectable score after winning the toss.
Rohit Sharma’s achievements not only highlight his exceptional talent and perseverance but also add another glorious chapter to Indian cricket. As the series continues, fans will undoubtedly be eager to see what other records Rohit Sharma and his team can break. The Indian captain’s recent form suggests that many more milestones are just around the corner.
