Rohit Sharma's Stellar Year: Records, ICC Triumph, and Milestones

A Year to Remember for Rohit Sharma

In 2023, former Indian captain Rohit Sharma had a remarkable year, achieving significant milestones and finally clinching an ICC trophy after narrowly missing out on the ODI title previously.

He guided India to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy, marking a significant achievement in his career, while also reaching the impressive milestone of 20,000 runs in international cricket.

Rohit ascended to the top of the ICC ODI rankings for the first time, becoming India's third-highest run-scorer in ODIs.

His exceptional power-hitting skills were on full display as he emerged as the leading six-hitter in ODIs.

Champions Trophy Glory

Sharma led the Indian team to their second Champions Trophy title, triumphing over New Zealand in the final. He played a crucial role, scoring 76 runs off 83 balls, which helped India chase down a target of 252. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award.

Reaching 20,000 International Runs

Last month, during the final ODI against South Africa in Visakhapatnam, Rohit became the fourth Indian cricketer to surpass 20,000 runs in international cricket. He has accumulated 20,048 runs in 505 ODIs, boasting an average of 42.47 and a strike rate exceeding 87, including 50 centuries and 111 fifties. He joins the ranks of Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Rahul Dravid in this elite group.

Top of the ODI Rankings

In October, Rohit achieved a personal best by becoming the No. 1-ranked player in the ICC Men’s ODI Batter Rankings for the first time. His rise to the top was fueled by an outstanding unbeaten century in the third ODI against Australia in Sydney, where he led India to a nine-wicket victory.

Leading Six-Hitter in ODIs

In November, Rohit broke Shahid Afridi's record for the most sixes in ODIs, achieving this milestone during the first ODI against South Africa at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi. He hit his 352nd six, surpassing Afridi's long-standing record of 351 sixes.

Currently, Rohit has hit 355 sixes in 279 ODIs.

Impressive Year-End Stats

Rohit concluded the year with 650 runs in 14 innings, averaging 50.00 and maintaining a strike rate above 100, including two centuries and four fifties, with a top score of 121*. He is also the second-highest run-scorer in T20Is, amassing 4,231 runs in 159 matches at an average of 32.05 and a strike rate of nearly 141.

In Tests, he has scored 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, with 12 centuries and 18 fifties in 116 innings, with a best score of 212.

In May, Rohit announced his retirement from Test cricket, marking the end of a significant chapter in his illustrious career.