Rohit Sharma joins league of legends for huge Asia record in IND vs NZ 2nd ODI

Rohit Sharma scales a huge ODI record [Source: AFP Photos]

Rohit Sharma got off to a splendid start alongside opening partner Shubman Gill against New Zealand in the second ODI of India’s three-match home series. Opening the innings at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, the legendary Indian opener raced to an unbeaten 21 with four cracking boundaries by the time of his 50-run stand with captain Gill.

Through the course of his latest batting recital, Rohit Sharma also soared past the 7,000-run mark in ODI matches in Asia to join an elite group of legendary batters, featuring the likes of ex-teammates Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, active member Virat Kohli and a couple of legendary Sri Lankan batters.

Rohit Sharma joins Kohli, Dhoni and others to score 7,000 ODI runs in Asia

Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who made his ODI debut back in mid-2007 during India’s tour of Ireland, has represented his nation in 281 ODI matches so far in his near two-decade long career in international cricket.

The legendary Indian opener has played 165 of those matches in Asia, comprising of countries like India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE as well as a handful of fixtures in Pakistan back during the 2008 Asia Cup. In his latest appearance against New Zealand in Rajkot, Rohit Sharma completed 7,000 ODI runs in Asia, doing so during his belligerent opening partnership with Shubman Gill.

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Becoming only the seventh cricketer in history to scale the landmark figure in Asian ODIs, Sharma joined the likes of former Indian cricketers Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni as well as active teammate Virat Kohli alongside a couple of Sri Lankan legends in an exclusive batting club. Here is a look at all seven players in history to have aggregated 7,000 or more ODI runs in Asian conditions.

Most Runs in ODIs in Asia

Notably, Rohit Sharma has played 99 of those 165 Asian ODI matches in India alone, aggregating over 5,000 runs in the process at a prolific batting average of 56.85. Moreover, the cricketer has plundered each of his three ODI double hundreds in Indian conditions, which includes the all-time world record ODI score of 264. He has played another 15 in Bangladesh, 35 in Sri Lanka, 10 matches in the UAE and the remaining six in Pakistan.

Rohit Sharma’s average of 62.12 in the UAE marks his highest in any Asian country.

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill get India off to a flier

After failing to set up India’s chase at the top against New Zealand in Vadodara a couple of days ago, Rohit Sharma and captain Shubman Gill pummeled New Zealand bowlers with an electrifying 50-plus partnership in less than nine overs in the second match of the series.

The two cricketers ended up crafting 70 runs for the opening wicket in 12.2 overs before Rohit Sharma was caught by Will Young off Kristian Clarke for 24 from 38 balls.

Leading 1-0 in the three-match ODI series, Team India was put into bat earlier in the day by New Zealand’s interim captain Michael Bracewell.

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