Indian · Nagpur, India · Born 30 April 1987Indian cricket captain and opening batsman, holder of highest individual ODI score (264) and only player with three ODI double centuries
Rohit Gurunath Sharma was born in Nagpur, India in 1987. He grew up in Mumbai where his father worked as a transport firm caretaker — the family's modest means meant Rohit lived with his grandparents and uncle during his school years to reduce costs. He made his international debut for India in 2007. His ODI batting average opening the innings transformed completely when he was promoted to open — having previously batted in the middle order — in 2013. He scored three ODI double centuries: 209 against Australia (2013), 264 against Sri Lanka (2014) — the highest individual ODI score in history — and 208 again against Sri Lanka (2017). No other batsman has scored more than one ODI double century. He became India's T20 captain and led the side to the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup victory in the West Indies — his first ICC tournament as captain. He won six IPL titles with Mumbai Indians as captain. He was appointed Test captain following Virat Kohli's resignation from the role. His combination of elegant strokeplay, power hitting and exceptional timing makes him one of the most watchable batsmen of his generation. By the 2026 T20 World Cup, Rohit stood alongside Shakib Al Hasan as the only players to have appeared in nine of the tournament's ten editions, and held the record for most T20 World Cup match appearances with 47.
Holding the world record for the highest individual score in ODI cricket with 264 not out against Sri Lanka in 2014.
How They Played
Rohit Sharma is known for his elegant stroke play and timing, particularly his pull shots and drives through the covers. He has the rare ability to accelerate his scoring rate as his innings progresses, often converting fifties into big hundreds. His calm temperament and excellent footwork against both pace and spin bowling make him one of the most complete modern batsmen.
Lasting Impact
Sharma revolutionized opening batting in limited-overs cricket with his ability to score heavily while maintaining a high strike rate. His record-breaking performances and leadership have established him as one of India's greatest white-ball cricketers.
Career Honours
- ICC Cricket World Cup (2011 squad)
- ICC T20 World Cup (2024)
- IPL 6x (Mumbai Indians)
- ICC ODI Cricketer of Year
| Club | Period | Matches | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai Indians | 2011–2024 | 243 | 6211 |
| Deccan Chargers | 2008–2010 | — | — |
Indian Athletes