Rohit Sharma’s Rising From 2013 To 'Hitman'

Talk about batsmen who have their natural flamboyance and unmatched style, only few names come to my mind like Steve Waugh, David Gower and Sir Vivian Richards. However, in this list, every cricketing guru and fan knew there is someone equally capable to join them i.e. Rohit Sharma.

Rohit with his elegant style has a split second extra than any other batters. His lazy elegance and his majestic stroke play cannot be rivaled by anyone. However, for every talented batsman there are difficulties to sustain big game pressure and handle expectations of others. Such was a case for Rohit Sharma too. Although talented, Rohit lacked an imperative weapon in his armamentarium i.e. consistency. His problems in middle overs was not soothing for the team, as he would play a good innings and then have a string of low scores which was unlike his talent.

Since his blasting debut in ICC T20 World Cup 2007 and recurring performances in Tri-series in Australia 2008, Rohit’s graph suddenly titled downwards with the string of low scores. In 2010, India faced Srilanka in a 5- match ODI series, Rohit couldn’t cross the two-digit score for once in his five innings. Due to his inconsistency in the middle order, he wasn’t even considered for Test selection until 2013 and lost his place in 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. Many cricketing gurus and fellow commentators criticized him, referring him as ‘talented man with lazy approach’ and ‘lacking the will to score’. It was slowly becoming the lowest point for the batsman of such high caliber. However, behind every great cricketer there is a supporting captain and ‘Dhoni’ proved to be his knight in the shining armour. Even with his inconsistency, Dhoni continued to back him throughout his career and in 2012, in ODI series against England at home, Dhoni gave him the chance to bat at top of the order, where he scored a match-winning 83. Though, his lean form continued till the end of 2012.

What was the turning point for Rohit Sharma?

The year 2013 was ideally the breakthrough year for Rohit Sharma. It all started when Rohit was selected as an opener to partner S Dhawan at the top of the order in ICC Champions Trophy 2013. Rohit along with his partner Shikar and V Kohli formed an attacking trio that destroyed each and every opposition in the pecking order. Rohit became the second highest run-getter for India in the tournament behind S Dhawan. After 3 months, it was time for the famous 2013 home ODI series against Australia where Rohit Sharma showed his true class and amassed 491 runs averaging 123 in the process with a century (122 at Jaipur chasing 360) and a double century (209 at Bengaluru batting first) under his belt. He became only the third batsmen overall to score double hundred in ODI cricket. Till date, he is the only man in world cricket to score 3 double hundreds in one-day internationals. In addition, the added-responsibility of captaining such a huge IPL franchise in the mid-season made him more mature as a cricketer. Rohit Sharma with his batting, recorded 538 runs in the season 6 of the IPL. With his astute leadership, Mumbai Indians lifted the prestigious IPL trophy for the first time.

Story of becoming the ‘Hitman’:

After the breakthrough 2013, Rohit never looked back and become one of the finest white-ball cricketers in the history of the game. Since then, Rohit has been called ‘Hitman’ who had the habit of destroying bowling with his touch play and lazy elegance. Rohit Sharma holds the record to scoring at an aggregate of over 50 from 2013 to 2019 in ODI cricket. He has gone passed 500 in more than 5 consecutive calendar years while averaging 50 or more. Even in the Test cricket, Rohit with his limited opportunities as an opener, has shown a class of an attacking opener which could be a significant factor in overseas conditions.

To conclude, Rohit Sharma is relentless as an opener in every format. He is one of those cricketers, once settled, is pain in the neck for any bowling attack. Rohit makes batting look a child’s play. With experience and form on his side, everyone knows the best of Hitman is yet to come and world cricket should be wary of this ‘Baba Yaga’ of cricket.

Image source- NDTV

Share your opinions.

According to your choice, who is the best white-ball opener currently in ODI cricket?

1. David Warner
2. Rohit Sharma
3. Quinton de Kock
4. Jason Roy 

Please have a look on my previous posts

https://everythingyetonlycricket.blogspot.com/2020/05/when-little-masters-storm-blew-away.html

https://everythingyetonlycricket.blogspot.com/2020/05/is-this-end-of-road-for-iceman-ms-dhoni.html

https://everythingyetonlycricket.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-number-four-conundrum-indias.html