Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma is set to prove his mettle in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy after a rollercoaster year. While he led India to a triumphant T20 World Cup victory last June, his position in the Test squad has come under scrutiny due to inconsistent performances. However, Sharma recently marked a successful return to the ODI format, reaffirming his value in limited-overs cricket.
Dominance in ODIs and Past Performances
Rohit Sharma’s ODI credentials are undeniable. He remains the only cricketer to have scored three double centuries in the format and is among the six Indian players to surpass 10,000 ODI runs. Ahead of the Champions Trophy, India secured a dominant 3-0 series win over England. While Sharma recorded low scores in two matches, he displayed his brilliance with a stunning 119 in the second game.
His leadership in the 2023 ODI World Cup further cemented his legacy, as he finished as the second-highest run-scorer with 597 runs, propelling India to an unbeaten streak until the final. Although India fell short against Australia in the title clash, Sharma’s aggressive approach in ODIs received widespread praise.
Milestones and Speculations on His Future
In previous Champions Trophy editions, Sharma has delivered impressive performances, scoring 481 runs in 10 matches at an average of 53.44. His unbeaten 123 against Bangladesh in 2017 and his crucial role in India’s 2013 title-winning campaign highlight his impact. With 32 ODI centuries, Sharma is on the verge of becoming the 10th cricketer to reach 11,000 ODI runs.
He also stands 13 sixes away from surpassing Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi (351) as the batter with the most sixes in ODI history. However, at 38, Sharma has already retired from T20Is and opted out of the final Test against Australia in the 2024-25 series. With the next ICC ODI event scheduled for 2027, speculation is rife about whether the 2025 Champions Trophy will be his swan song.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
