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Rohit Sharma On The Verge Of Breaking Sachin Tendulkar's Major Record As Opener

Kaushik Kashyap

Rohit Sharma for India in ODIs (Source: ICC/x.com)Rohit Sharma for India in ODIs (Source: ICC/x.com)

Rohit Sharma is closing on to break another record as the Indian skipper is set to go past the Great Sachin Tendulkar in the list of most runs for India as opener in international cricket. Sharma, who has 15285 runs as opener in all formats for India, is just 50 runs away from overtaking Tendulkar's 15335-run tally. 

The ace batter can achieve this feat in the upcoming second ODI against England in Cuttack on Sunday, February 9.  Sharma opened the innings for India for the first time way back in 2011 against South Africa in Cape Town. However, his real break came two years later when the then Indian captain MS Dhoni pushed him up the order to open the innings for India in Champions Trophy 2013.

Since then, Sharma never looked back and has become one of the best openers India has ever got as he is on the verge to get ahead of the legendary Tendulkar on paper. Veteran Indian opener Virender Sehwag is at the top of this list, having scored 15758 runs from 321 matches as opener for India.

In the all time list of most runs as opener in international cricket, Rohit Sharma is placed at the eighth position with Tendulkar, Sehwag, Desmond Haynes, Graeme Smith, David Warner, Chris Gayle and Sanath Jayasuriya ahead of him.

Rohit Sharma, The Rolls Royce Of Batting 

In what has been more than a decade long career as Indian opener, Sharma has achieved things like no other, especially in the 50-over format for India. In 179 matches as opener, Rohit has scored 8838 ODI runs at a scintillating average of 55.24, with 29 centuries and 44 half centuries in his name.

Later in 2019, on the back of his outstanding campaign in the 2019 World Cup in England, Rohit got a chance to open for India in Test and went on to score 2697 runs at an average of 42.81 with nine centuries and eight half centuries.

Additionally, Sharma had a great T20I career, where he opened for India since 2014 and has scored 3750 runs in total, including record five centuries, all while opening the innings.

In contrast to what has been a legendary career, Rohit Sharma's recent form is quite concerning as the Indian opener had a horrible tour of Australia and is looking far from his best in the first ODI against England in Nagpur.

With India's campaign in Champion Trophy 2025 scheduled in less than ten days, Indian fans will be hoping to see their captain return to form and get his confidence back in the remaining two ODIs against England.