India Test and ODI captain Rohit Sharma is likely to achieve a major milestone with the bat during the upcoming second ODI of the three-match series against Sri Lanka. Rohit Sharma could surpass former India head coach Rahul Dravid in the elite list of India’s leading run-scorers in the 50-overs format.
Rohit Sharma made a strong return to competitive cricket during the first ODI match against Sri Lanka after a month-long break. The right-handed batsman scored 58 runs off 47 balls at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday, August 2. Sharma smashed seven fours and three sixes during his knock.
The Indian team could not secure a win despite an impressive batting performance from Rohit Sharma. The Men in Blue were bowled out for 230 in 47.5 overs while chasing a target of 231. The first match of the series between India and Sri Lanka ended in a draw. The teams will meet again on Sunday, August 4 at the same venue.
Rohit Sharma to break Rahul Dravid’s record in second ODI
In the second ODI, Rohit Sharma has a chance to surpass Rahul Dravid and become India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in ODIs. Rohit needs just two runs to reach the fourth position in the elite list. Rohit has scored 10,767 runs in 263 matches at an average of 49.16, including 31 centuries and 56 fifties.
Sachin Tendulkar leads the list with 18,426 runs in 463 matches at an average of 44.83, including 49 centuries and 96 fifties. Virat Kohli is second with 13,872 runs, followed by Sourav Ganguly, who amassed 11,221 runs. Rahul Dravid is fourth on the list, scoring 10,768 runs for India in ODIs.
Most runs for India in ODIs
| Player | Matches | Entrance | Careers | Average | Centuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | 463 | 452 | 18.426 | 44.83 | 49 |
| Virat Kohli | 293 | 281 | 13.872 | 58.53 | fifty |
| Surav Ganguly | 308 | 297 | 11,221 | 40.95 | 22 |
| Rahul Dravid | 340 | 314 | 10,768 | 39.15 | 12 |
| Rohit Sharma | 263 | 255 | 10,767 | 49.16 | 31 |
| Mrs Dhoni | 347 | 294 | 10,599 | 50.23 | 9 |
If Rohit scores seven runs in the second ODI, he will also surpass legendary wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni’s total of 10,773 runs in ODIs. Dhoni scored 10,599 runs in 347 ODIs for India and 174 runs in three matches for Asia XI in 2007.
In the first ODI, the Mumbai cricketer surpassed Eoin Morgan’s record for most sixes in international cricket as captain. The 37-year-old batsman became the third Indian opener, after Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, to reach 15,000 international runs.
Rohit Sharma needs 6 sixes to break Chris Gayle’s record
Rohit Sharma holds the record for most sixes in international and T20I cricket. He needs six more sixes in the second ODI against Sri Lanka to surpass Chris Gayle’s record and become the second player with most sixes in ODIs. Rohit has hit 326 sixes in ODIs while Gayle finished his career with 331.
Most sixes in ODI
| Player | Equipment | Six |
|---|---|---|
| Shahid Afridi | Pakistan, Asia, ICC | 351 |
| Chris Gayle | West Indies, ICC | 331 |
| Rohit Sharma | India | 326 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka, Asia | 270 |
| Mrs Dhoni | India, Asia | 229 |
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