Rohit Sharma eyes redemption in ICC Champions Trophy
What's the story
Indian cricket team's captain Rohit Sharma will have a point to prove in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
This comes after a year of extreme highs and lows for the cricketer.
Although he led India to victory in the T20 World Cup last June, his place in the Test team has been questioned due to inconsistent performances.
Notably, Rohit recently made a successful comeback to the ODI format.
Track record
Sharma's impressive ODI record and upcoming matches
Sharma has an incredible ODI record, being the only cricketer in the world to score three double tons in the format.
He is also one of six Indians to have scored more than 10,000 ODI runs.
Before the Champions Trophy, India recorded a 3-0 ODI clean sweep against England.
While the Indian skipper managed single-digit scores in the first and last match, he made a breathtaking 119 in the second game.
Past performance
Sharma's leadership in 2023 ODI World Cup
In the 2023 ODI World Cup, Sharma captained India and ended as the second-highest run scorer with 597 runs.
His explosive starts were key to keeping India unbeaten until the final.
Even after losing to Australia in the final, there was hardly any criticism of the brand of ODI cricket Sharma and his men played throughout that tournament.
Tournament history
Sharma's performance in previous Champions Trophy tournaments
In the previous editions of the Champions Trophy, Sharma has played 10 matches and scored 481 runs at an average of 53.44 and a strike rate of 82.50.
His highest score was an unbeaten 123 against Bangladesh at Birmingham in 2017, along with four half-centuries in the two editions he played (2013 and 2017).
The opener played a pivotal role in India's victorious CT campaign in 2013.
Career
11,000 ODI runs loading for Sharma
Sharma currently has 32 centuries in ODI cricket, the third-most in ODIs after Sachin Tendulkar (49) and Virat Kohli (50).
The 38-year-old has overall raced to 10,988 runs in ODIs at 49.05.
The upcoming tournament can Sharma become just the 10th batter to complete 11,000 ODI runs.
Sharma, who owns 338 sixes in the format, need to clear the fence can also displace Pakistan's Shahid Afridi (351) as the batter with the most ODI sixes.
Proespect?
Will the 2025 CT be Sharma's final hurrah?
Sharma, who is 38, has already retired from T20Is. Moreover, he dropped himself for the final Test of the 2024-25 away series against Australia.
With the new ICC World Test Championship cycle coming up and the next major ICC ODI event being in 2027, the World Cup, many speculate that the selectors and team management might move on from Sharma.