Sanjay Manjrekar Questions Rohit Sharma’s All-Time Batting Status

Former Indian cricketer and cricket analyst Sanjay Manjrekar recently stirred debate by stating that India’s ODI captain Rohit Sharma does not qualify as one of India’s all-time batting greats. Manjrekar, who has been part of Indian cricket both as a player and commentator, shared his opinion on The Great Indian Cricket Show aired on Doordarshan.

According to him, when you talk about legendary Indian batsmen, names like Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Virat Kohli automatically come to mind. He clarified that, in his view, Rohit Sharma, despite his tremendous achievements, does not fit into this particular elite category. “Rohit Sharma does not fit in the All-Time Indian Batting Great list because we’re talking about legends like Gavaskar, Tendulkar, Dravid, and Virat Kohli. Rohit does not quite make it there,” Manjrekar said.

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Acknowledging Rohit Sharma’s Selflessness and Leadership

While Manjrekar questioned Rohit’s place among India’s greatest batsmen, he was quick to highlight the captain’s value as a selfless player and leader. He emphasized that Rohit’s contribution to one-day cricket, particularly his ability to play for the team rather than himself, is exceptional. “If you look at one-day cricket, selflessness, or captainship, then you have to mention Rohit Sharma. Especially after the 2023 World Cup, the love people have for him is on another level. People saw that he was never thinking about himself; he was willing to sacrifice his own interests for the team’s advantage. That’s his real specialty,” Manjrekar said.

This statement shows that even critics recognize Rohit’s importance in team dynamics and his ability to inspire teammates through his leadership.

Rohit Sharma’s World Cup Performances

Rohit Sharma has often been called the “Hitman” for his aggressive batting style and ability to dominate games. In the history of ODI World Cups, he is India’s third-highest and overall fourth-highest run-scorer, with 1,575 runs in 28 matches at an outstanding average of 60.57. He has scored seven centuries and six half-centuries in World Cups, with a highest score of 140.

His performance in the 2019 World Cup in the United Kingdom was particularly remarkable. Rohit scored a record five centuries in a single World Cup, totaling 648 runs in nine matches at an average of 81.00. He showed consistency and attacking intent, making him one of the most dangerous batsmen in the tournament.

In the following World Cup at home, Rohit maintained his high standards by scoring 597 runs in 11 matches at an average of 54.27. He also struck at a phenomenal rate above 125, including one century and three fifties. His ability to dominate attacks with ease made him a key figure in India’s World Cup campaigns.

Records in One-Day Internationals

Rohit Sharma is India’s fourth-highest run-scorer across all international formats, with a total of 19,700 runs. In ODIs alone, he has played 273 matches and 265 innings, scoring 11,168 runs at an average of 48.76. His tally includes 32 centuries and 58 fifties, with a highest score of 264, making him the only player in the world with three double centuries in ODI cricket.

These records reflect Rohit’s consistency and his ability to play long, match-winning innings. His record-breaking innings of 264 against Sri Lanka remains one of the most iconic in ODI cricket history.

Test Cricket Career

Rohit Sharma retired from Test cricket in May of this year. During his Test career, he played 67 matches and scored 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, including 12 centuries and 18 fifties. His highest Test score was an impressive 212 against South Africa at home in 2019.

Sanjay Manjrekar mentioned that one of the reasons Rohit might not be considered an all-time great in India is because Test cricket has traditionally held more weight in evaluating batting legends. Despite his talent, Rohit’s Test career was shorter and less impactful compared to players like Tendulkar, Dravid, or Gavaskar.

T20 International Career and Records

Rohit Sharma has also excelled in T20 Internationals, where he is India’s leading run-scorer. In 159 T20I matches and 151 innings, he has accumulated 4,231 runs at an average of 32.05 and a strike rate of 140.89. Rohit has scored five centuries and 32 fifties in this format, with a highest score of 121 not out.

He also holds the record for the fastest T20I century for India, achieved in just 35 balls against Sri Lanka in 2017. During his T20I career, Rohit smashed a total of 205 sixes, making him the only batter to have hit 200 or more sixes in T20I cricket.

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Retirement from T20s and Focus on ODIs

Earlier this year, Rohit Sharma retired from the shortest format of the game after leading Team India to victory in the T20 World Cup 2024. Currently, he remains active only in the 50-over format, where his experience and batting skills continue to play a vital role for India.

Summing Up Rohit Sharma’s Legacy

Rohit Sharma’s career is filled with records, spectacular innings, and leadership achievements. While Sanjay Manjrekar may not include him in the list of all-time Indian batting greats, Rohit’s influence on Indian cricket is undeniable. His selflessness, consistency, and ability to deliver in high-pressure games have earned him immense respect and admiration from fans, players, and cricket experts alike.

Manjrekar’s comments underline the distinction between players who shine in ODIs versus those whose greatness is recognized across all formats, particularly in Test cricket. Rohit’s dominance in limited-overs cricket, however, ensures that he remains one of India’s most celebrated and respected cricketers of the modern era.

Rohit Sharma may not make it to every critic’s list of all-time Indian batting legends, but his contribution to Indian cricket—through records, leadership, and match-winning performances—is extraordinary. From his triple double-centuries in ODIs to his fastest T20I century and his impactful World Cup performances, Rohit has carved a place for himself in cricket history that fans will remember for generations.

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