Let’s take a look at some of former Indian captain Rohit Sharma’s outstanding ODI innings as captain.
Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma has clearly demonstrated his ability in every format. Throughout his career, he has single-handedly won matches for the Indian team. He was recently relieved of the ODI captaincy of the Indian team. He will now play as an opening batsman for the team on the upcoming tour of Australia.
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Rohit, captaining the country in ODIs, won 42 of his 56 matches, scoring 2506 runs with the bat at an average of 52.20 and a strike rate of 111.97. Well, let’s take a look at three memorable innings by Captain Rohit:
1. 76 runs (83 balls) vs. New Zealand (Champions Trophy 2025 Finals)
India was set a target of 252 by New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025 finals. Openers Shubman Gill and captain Rohit Sharma opened the batting. After both Gill and Virat departed early, the onus of the chase fell on Rohit, who reached his half-century in just the 11th over.
Rohit looked set to finish the match and score his century when Rachin Ravindra dismissed him. However, the entire credit for India’s spectacular and incredible victory goes to Captain Rohit Sharma’s 76 runs. It was this innings that earned him the Player of the Match award.
2. 87 runs (101 balls) vs England (2023 ICC World Cup)
The Indian team batted first in this match in Lucknow. The red surface used in this match made it difficult for the batsmen to score runs. The Indian team once again lost two of its top-order batsmen, Gill and Virat, early. But Rohit continued to play his shots and scored valuable runs for the Indian team.
Rohit’s 87 runs helped the Indian team score 229 runs in the first innings, which was enough to fight on this surface. In reply, England were bowled out for 129 runs, and the Indian team won the match by 100 runs.
3. 208 (153 balls) vs Sri Lanka 2017
In the second ODI of Sri Lanka’s tour of India in 2017, Rohit, playing as interim captain in place of Virat Kohli, faced nine balls to open his account. At the halfway mark of the innings, Rohit had scored only 52 runs from 68 balls. He converted a slow but steady innings into a big one, reaching his century after 115 balls. This century was Rohit’s first as captain and 16th as a batsman.
After reaching his century, Rohit scored runs rapidly and crossed the 150 mark in no time. By the end of the innings, Rohit remained unbeaten on 208 runs from 153 balls. He scored more than half of India’s total score. This was his third double century in ODI cricket. India won the match in Mohali by 141 runs.
