Rohit Sharma, India’s cricket captain, will lead the team in a three-match Test series against New Zealand starting on October 16, 2024, at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Following a dominant performance against Bangladesh, where India achieved a 2-0 sweep, Rohit and his team will aim to continue their winning streak against the Kiwis.
This series presents Rohit with the opportunity to surpass several cricketing records, both as a batter and as a captain. Below are five significant records Rohit could break during this series.
Leading Six-Hitter for India in Test Cricket
One of the most immediate records Rohit Sharma is poised to break is the number of sixes hit by an Indian player in Test cricket. Having smashed 87 sixes in 61 Tests so far, Rohit is just five sixes away from overtaking the legendary Virender Sehwag, who holds the record with 91 sixes in 104 matches.
Given Rohit’s aggressive style and ability to clear the boundary with ease, it is highly likely that he will set a new benchmark for Indian players in this format.
First Indian to Reach 1000 Runs in Two WTC Cycles
Rohit is also on the verge of becoming the first Indian cricketer to score 1000 runs in two different World Test Championship (WTC) cycles. In the current WTC cycle (2023-25), he has already accumulated 742 runs from 11 matches.
He needs 258 more runs in the upcoming series to achieve this milestone, having already scored 1094 runs in the previous WTC cycle (2019-21). If Rohit manages to perform consistently throughout the three matches, this record could easily be within his reach.
Most Successful Indian Captain in WTC
As a captain, Rohit Sharma has led India to victory in 12 out of the 18 WTC matches he has overseen so far. If India wins all three matches against New Zealand, Rohit will surpass Virat Kohli’s record, becoming India’s most successful WTC captain.
Kohli, who led India in 22 WTC matches between 2019 and 2022, secured 14 victories. A clean sweep against the Kiwis will allow Rohit to claim this prestigious title, solidifying his leadership credentials in the Test arena.
Other Potential Milestones
Apart from these major records, Rohit could also move up in the ranks of India’s most successful Test captains. With 12 wins under his belt, three more victories would place him above Mohammad Azharuddin, who captained India to 14 wins from 47 Tests.
Moreover, if India wins all three matches, Rohit will surpass Sourav Ganguly’s tally of 97 victories as captain in international cricket, making him India’s fourth-most successful captain across all formats.
Additionally, with just 406 more runs in the series, Rohit could become the first Indian to score 3000 runs in WTC history. Presently, he has 2594 runs from 34 matches, and his current form suggests this milestone is well within his grasp.
As India gears up for this crucial series, all eyes will be on Rohit Sharma as he aims to make history both as a batter and as a leader.
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