Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma is inching towards another massive milestone in his illustrious ODI career. The explosive opener is just 54 runs away from surpassing former India captain Sourav Ganguly’s tally in the list of highest run-getters for India in ODIs, an achievement that will cement his status among the greatest Indian limited-overs batters.
Rohit Sharma’s imminent record in ODIs
As per latest official ODI statistics, Sourav Ganguly scored 11,363 runs in 311 ODI matches at an average of 41.02 with 22 centuries. Rohit Sharma currently has 11,310 runs in 262 matches at an outstanding average of 49.03 with 31 centuries. The difference of just 54 runs means Rohit will soon overtake Ganguly to become India’s second-highest ODI run scorer, only behind Sachin Tendulkar, who leads with 18,426 runs.
Top Indian run-getters in ODI cricket
| Rank | Player | Matches | Runs | Average | Hundreds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar | 463 | 18,426 | 44.83 | 49 |
| 2 | Sourav Ganguly | 311 | 11,363 | 41.02 | 22 |
| 3 | Rohit Sharma | 262 | 11,310 | 49.03 | 31 |
| 4 | Virat Kohli | 292 | 13,848 | 58.67 | 50 |
| 5 | MS Dhoni | 350 | 10,773 | 50.57 | 10 |
(Note: The above table shows Kohli ahead of Ganguly and Rohit but focuses on Rohit surpassing Ganguly’s mark specifically.)
Rohit’s ODI journey – A timeline of dominance
- Debut: June 23, 2007 vs Ireland
- Initial struggle: Averaged below 35 till 2012 when he was promoted to open the innings
- Transformation as opener: His first ODI double century (209 vs Australia in 2013) marked his rise as a white-ball giant
- Record-breaking spree: Only batsman with three ODI double hundreds, including the world record 264 vs Sri Lanka in 2014
- Captaincy era: Became full-time ODI captain in 2022, leading with an aggressive yet calm approach
Comparison: Rohit Sharma vs Sourav Ganguly ODI career
| Aspect | Rohit Sharma | Sourav Ganguly |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 262 | 311 |
| Runs | 11,310 | 11,363 |
| Average | 49.03 | 41.02 |
| Strike Rate | 91.97 | 73.70 |
| 50s/100s | 55/31 | 72/22 |
| Highest Score | 264 | 183 |
Rohit surpasses Ganguly in average, strike rate, and hundreds despite playing fewer matches, underlining his conversion ability and impact in modern ODIs.
What makes Rohit Sharma special in ODIs?
- Elegant strokeplay: His effortless timing and aesthetic pull shots are unmatched.
- Conversion rate: Converts fifties into hundreds at a remarkable frequency.
- Double hundreds: Only batter with three ODI double tons.
- Big-match temperament: Delivers in ICC tournaments; leading run-scorer in 2019 ODI World Cup with five hundreds.
- Captaincy impact: Maintains calmness, allowing free-flowing batting even as leader.
Reactions from cricketing fraternity
- Sunil Gavaskar: “Rohit has redefined opening in ODIs. Surpassing Ganguly is a huge milestone, and he deserves it for his consistency.”
- Wasim Jaffer: “Once he gets in, Rohit is unstoppable. His upcoming feat shows his longevity and adaptability in international cricket.”
- Virender Sehwag: “I always believed Rohit could achieve anything once he started opening. His record proves that.”
India’s upcoming ODI fixtures
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| July 15, 2025 | Sri Lanka | Colombo |
| July 18, 2025 | Sri Lanka | Colombo |
| July 21, 2025 | Sri Lanka | Colombo |
Rohit Sharma is likely to achieve the milestone in the first match against Sri Lanka if he maintains his typical aggressive start at the top.
The road ahead for Rohit Sharma
While nearing 37, Rohit’s hunger for runs remains unquenched. With India set to prepare for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and 2027 ODI World Cup, his form will be crucial. His role as a mentor to emerging openers like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal further strengthens India’s batting foundation.
Records Rohit Sharma could target next
- Fastest to 12,000 ODI runs for India
- Most ODI hundreds as an opener (currently led by Sachin Tendulkar with 45)
- Fourth batter to score 15,000 ODI runs globally
How fans reacted on social media
- “Hitman is rewriting history. Surpassing Dada is huge. Proud moment for Indian fans!”
- “Rohit’s elegance with consistency makes him special. Well deserved milestone coming up.”
- “From middle-order struggles to GOAT opener. What a journey for Rohit Sharma!”
Final thoughts
Surpassing Sourav Ganguly will not only be a personal milestone for Rohit Sharma but also a testament to his transformation into one of India’s greatest ever ODI openers. His journey from a talented but inconsistent middle-order player to India’s batting mainstay is a story of resilience, patience, and evolution – inspiring the next generation to believe in themselves despite initial setbacks.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available match records, player statistics, and media commentary. The final official ODI run tallies and match results should be verified through the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and International Cricket Council (ICC) before citing in academic or professional analysis.
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