Rohit Sharma Poised to Enter Cricket's Most Exclusive Batting Club
Indian cricket star Rohit Sharma stands on the brink of history as he prepares to become only the fourth Indian batter to score 20,000 international runs. The former captain will resume his record-chasing mission when India takes on South Africa in a three-match ODI series beginning November 30 at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi.
The Final Countdown: 98 Runs to Immortality
Rohit Sharma currently boasts 19,902 runs from his 502-match international career across all formats. His impressive tally breaks down into 4,301 runs in 67 Tests, 11,370 in ODIs, and 4,231 in T20 Internationals. The opener requires just 98 more runs to join the legendary trio of Sachin Tendulkar (34,357 runs), Virat Kohli (27,673 runs), and Rahul Dravid (24,064 runs) in this exclusive batting fraternity.
This milestone becomes particularly significant given Rohit's recent format specialization. After retiring from T20Is following the 2024 World Cup and stepping away from Test cricket in May, the veteran now represents India exclusively in ODI cricket. Following the South Africa assignment, he's expected to feature in the home ODI series against New Zealand.
Return to Action With Form and Pressure
Rohit enters the series riding a wave of confidence from his recent spectacular performance against Australia, where he smashed an unbeaten 121 off 125 balls in Sydney. That innings, featuring 13 boundaries and three sixes, helped India avoid a series whitewash after trailing 2-0.
The series also marks the return of Virat Kohli, who, like Rohit, now plays only ODIs for India. Both senior batters face significant pressure to deliver as the team looks to regain momentum following India's painful 0-2 Test defeat against the Proteas.
As Indian cricket transitions between generations, Rohit Sharma's pursuit of this monumental achievement provides a compelling narrative that bridges the team's glorious past with its evolving future.
