Rohit surpasses Dravid, becomes 4th-highest Indian run scorer in ODIs

When Rohit Sharma walked out to bat against Sri Lanka in the first ODI, everyone expected him to take things slowly, given it was his first ODI in 258 days. 

But that’s where Rohit’s approach has taken opponents by complete surprise, and Sri Lanka experienced it first-hand. The right-hander thrashed the Islanders with a 47-ball 58. 

Just when it seemed like Rohit would surpass Rahul Dravid’s record of 10,768 runs, the Indian skipper was trapped right in front. That started an Indian collapse, as India eventually had to settle for a tie against Sri Lanka in the first ODI. 

On August 4 (Sunday), Rohit had other plans, as he continued from where he left in the first ODI, taking a single off the very first ball. It was in the third over when a pull shot against Asita Fernando took him past Dravid’s tally. 

Later on, the 37-year-old also took on the all-rounder Dunith Wellalage, smashing three boundaries in the fourth over of the innings. Slowly, the Indian skipper grew in confidence, welcoming Akila Dananjaya with a pull over mid-wicket region for another boundary. 

Rohit saved the best for the pacer, smashing Fernando for a huge six with his trademark pull shot. Dananjaya was given the same treatment with a six over long-on. Rohit reached fifty in back-to-back innings with an inside out six to Kamindu Mendis. 

Since taking over the captaincy, Rohit has been at his belligerent best. But his wrath against Sri Lanka was quite severe, and all the Islanders could do was watch the ball sail into the stands. 

Rohit's new and more ‘aggressive’ self after the onset of the captaincy is evident from his numbers. In 46 appearances as skipper, the right-hander has amassed 2169 runs at a strike rate of 111.86, which is a great improvement from his strike rate of 88.42 as a player. 

It was Rohit’s fourth half-century inside the powerplay, all of which have come in matches where he has captained the side. The Mumbaikar is only behind Virender Sehwag’s tally of seven half-centuries inside the powerplay.

This 29-ball half-century was also Rohit's second-fastest in ODIs, only behind his 27-ball effort against Bangladesh in 2022. All of this came at a time when Shubman Gill was struggling to find the sailing ‘smooth’ out there in the middle.

Eventually, Pathum Nissanka had to go ‘airborne’ to see Rohit's back. But in his 44-ball stay at the crease, Rohit proved to be a real thorn for Sri Lanka. 

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