Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma stands out as one of the most accomplished leaders in modern cricket, having led India to victory in both the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. His tenure with the Mumbai Indians (MI) has also been remarkable, securing an impressive five IPL titles, which cements his status as one of the most celebrated captains in the sport's history. Recently, Rohit shone in a three-match ODI series against Australia, where he was named Player of the Series after scoring a half-century and a century. His remarkable consistency at the crease propelled him to the No. 1 position in the ICC ODI Batting Rankings for the very first time. The cricketer from Nagpur has since stepped away from Test cricket and T20Is, wrapping up his career with 4,301 runs in Tests and 4,231 runs in T20Is. Now, he’s fully focused on ODIs, with his sights set on representing India in the 2027 World Cup. Before reaching these heights, Rohit started his international journey as a middle-order batter, showcasing moments of brilliance but struggling with consistency. Also Read | Watch Alyssa Healy drops easy catch, gives life to Jemimah Rodrigues The Turning Point: How Rohit Sharma’s Rise as an Opener Began His career took a pivotal turn during the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy when then-captain MS Dhoni decided to promote him to open the innings alongside Shikhar Dhawan. This strategic move paid off immediately, as Rohit delivered a series of impressive fifties, forming a strong opening partnership. The real game-changer, however, came later that year in the second ODI against Australia in Jaipur. Chasing a daunting target of 360 runs, Rohit played a stunning innings of 141* off just 123 balls, hitting 17 fours and four sixes, and leading India to victory in just 43.3 overs. This innings not only secured India’s win but also marked Rohit’s emergence as a world-class opener. He followed it up in the same series with his first ODI double century, kicking off a record-breaking journey that now boasts three double hundreds, the highest by any player in ODI history. Even today, as Shubman Gill takes the reins for India’s next generation, Rohit’s influence and mentorship remain crucial, embodying the essence of leadership and batting prowess.