Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has etched his name into the pantheon of batting greats by crossing the monumental milestone of 20,000 runs in international cricket. The historic moment arrived during the third ODI against South Africa in Visakhapatnam on December 6, 2025.
A Milestone Innings and a Flying Start
Leading the chase of a 271-run target, Rohit Sharma provided India with a blistering start alongside young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. The pair put on a dominant 155-run opening partnership, setting a solid platform for the innings. Rohit was in sublime form, racing to his 61st ODI half-century in just 54 balls. He looked set for a century but was dismissed by Keshav Maharaj in the 26th over, falling for a well-made 75 runs off 73 deliveries.
While he missed out on a 34th ODI hundred, the innings was significant for a far greater achievement. During his knock, the 'Hitman' surpassed the 20,000-run mark across all formats, entering one of the most exclusive clubs in world cricket.
Joining India's Batting Royalty
With this feat, Rohit Sharma becomes just the fourth Indian batter to accomplish this legendary milestone. He now stands alongside the iconic trio of Indian cricket:
- Sachin Tendulkar: The all-time leading run-scorer with 34,357 international runs.
- Virat Kohli: The modern-day maestro, currently batting and possessing 27,910 runs.
- Rahul Dravid: 'The Wall', who retired with 24,208 runs and recently coached India to T20 World Cup glory in 2024 with Rohit as captain.
On the all-time global list, Rohit's entry into the 20,000-run club saw him move past the legendary South African, AB de Villiers, to claim the 13th position.
Bowlers Set Up the Chase
Earlier, India's bowlers staged a remarkable comeback to restrict South Africa to 270 all out in 47.5 overs. The Proteas, powered by a dominant century from Quinton de Kock and a 113-run stand with captain Temba Bavuma, seemed headed for a total exceeding 300. However, the Indian attack, led brilliantly by Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav, wrestled back control. Both bowlers finished with impressive four-wicket hauls, derailing the South African momentum in the middle and death overs.
Rohit Sharma's landmark innings not only propelled India's chase but also solidified his legacy as one of the finest all-format batters the country has ever produced. His entry into this elite club is a testament to his consistency, class, and destructive prowess at the top of the order for over a decade.
