Rohit Sharma Hits 10,000 ODI Runs as Opener at 39
Rohit Sharma becomes only the fourth opener in ODI history to cross the 10,000-run mark, silencing critics with his latest masterclass.
India's batting heavyweight, Rohit Sharma, has reached a monumental milestone in One Day International (ODI) cricket. At the age of 39, the veteran opener has officially crossed the 10,000 ODI runs mark, becoming only the fourth player in the history of the format to achieve this feat while opening the batting.
The "Hitman" secured this historic achievement during India's third ODI against the West Indies in New Chandigarh on Saturday. Despite ongoing discussions regarding his role in India's 2027 ODI World Cup plans—fueled by concerns over age and fitness—Sharma has continued to silence his doubters by rewriting the record books.
An Elite Club of Openers
By reaching this landmark, Rohit Sharma joins an elite group of legendary openers who have dominated the top of the order. He follows only three names in history:
- Sachin Tendulkar: 15,310 runs
- Sanath Jayasuriya: 12,740 runs
- Chris Gayle: 10,179 runs
With 204 matches under his belt, Sharma now boasts a staggering 10,090 runs at an average of 54.83. His tally includes an incredible 33 centuries and 50 half-centuries, cementing his status as one of the greatest ODI batsmen to ever play the game.
Silencing the Doubters with Dominance
Sharma's recent form has been nothing short of sensational, effectively answering critics who speculated that his international career might be nearing its end. Following his retirement from T20Is and Tests, the veteran has focused his energy on the ODI format, delivering massive performances when the team needs them most.
During the recent series against England, Sharma played a blistering knock of 138 runs off 110 balls at Lord’s, featuring 17 fours and five sixes. Although India narrowly lost that match by 27 runs, his performance highlighted his unmatched ability to anchor and accelerate an innings. He finished that series with 175 runs at an average of 58.33 and a strike rate of 98.31.
Masterclass Against West Indies
The momentum carried directly into the current series against the West Indies, where Sharma has amassed 225 runs across three matches. In the decisive third ODI on Saturday, India found themselves in early trouble after the cheap dismissals of captain Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli.
However, Sharma rose to the occasion once again. Coming off a century in the previous match, he struck a commanding 92 runs from just 85 deliveries, including 10 boundaries and three sixes. His brilliant 137-run partnership with Ruturaj Gaikwad kept India deeply in the contest and proved once again why he remains an indispensable asset to the Indian batting lineup.