Rohit Sharma's unbeaten 121 in the third ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground was nothing short of a batting exhibition. His knock, filled with trademark elegance and control, guided India to a commanding nine-wicket victory over the hosts.
With that century, his ninth against Australia, the Mumbai batter reminded the world that even after 18 years of international cricket, he still has plenty left to offer. It was his 33rd ODI hundred overall, a milestone that reflects his sustained excellence and dominance in the format.
Significantly, this Sydney masterclass could well be Rohit's final ODI innings in Australia, as Team India have no scheduled ODI tours Down Under for at least the next two years. With that performance, the 'Hitman'
has ensured that his final act on Australian soil is remembered as a statement of class, power, and legacy, leaving behind a record that cements him among the greatest visiting batters in the country.
Home vs Away: A Testament to Consistency
Rohit Sharma's career reflects a rare balance, his ability to dominate both in home conditions and overseas. While subcontinental surfaces have seen him pile up monumental scores, his numbers away from home, particularly in countries like Australia, England, and South Africa, underline his adaptability and hunger for big runs under pressure.
| Venue | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 93 | 4867 | 264 | 57.25 | 14 | 22 |
| Away | 112 | 3905 | 171* | 41.10 | 11 | 21 |
| Neutral | 63 | 2598 | 140 | 50.94 | 8 | 16 |
His home average of 57.25 highlights his dominance in India, but it's his away average of 41.10 that stands out for its substance. Few batters in modern-day cricket have managed to sustain such quality across continents. At neutral venues too, where conditions can often vary dramatically, Rohit has continued to deliver with eight centuries and 16 fifties.
Year-by-Year Progression: From Promise to Phenomenon
Rohit's ODI journey has been one of steady evolution. From his early struggles as a middle-order batter to becoming one of the most destructive openers in the world, each passing year has added new dimensions to his game. The turning point came in 2013 when MS Dhoni promoted him as a regular opener, a move that transformed him into a record-breaking force.
| Year | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 3 | 61 | 52 | 20.33 | 0 | 1 |
| 2008 | 28 | 532 | 70* | 25.33 | 0 | 3 |
| 2009 | 7 | 102 | 43* | 25.50 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 14 | 504 | 114 | 38.76 | 2 | 1 |
| 2011 | 16 | 611 | 95 | 55.54 | 0 | 6 |
| 2012 | 13 | 168 | 68 | 12.92 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013 | 27 | 1196 | 209 | 52.00 | 2 | 8 |
| 2014 | 12 | 578 | 264 | 52.54 | 1 | 3 |
| 2015 | 17 | 815 | 150 | 50.93 | 3 | 4 |
| 2016 | 10 | 564 | 171* | 62.66 | 2 | 2 |
| 2017 | 21 | 1293 | 208* | 71.83 | 6 | 5 |
| 2018 | 19 | 1030 | 162 | 73.57 | 5 | 3 |
| 2019 | 27 | 1490 | 159 | 57.30 | 7 | 6 |
| 2020 | 3 | 171 | 119 | 57.00 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 3 | 90 | 37 | 30.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 8 | 249 | 76* | 41.50 | 0 | 3 |
| 2023 | 26 | 1255 | 131 | 52.29 | 2 | 9 |
| 2024 | 3 | 157 | 64 | 52.33 | 0 | 2 |
| 2025 | 11 | 504 | 121* | 50.40 | 2 | 2 |
From 2013 onward, Rohit has averaged above 50 in almost every year, producing double hundreds, record partnerships, and match-defining innings. The numbers showcase a player who has not just survived the evolution of white-ball cricket but mastered it.
Under Different Captains: Flourishing in Every Era
Throughout his career, Rohit Sharma has played under various captains, from the calm leadership of Dhoni to the aggressive style of Virat Kohli and later his own tenure as captain. Interestingly, his performances have remained exceptional across all regimes, reflecting his ability to thrive regardless of team dynamics or leadership changes.
| Captain | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS Dhoni | 118 | 3678 | 209 | 35.70 | 7 | 21 |
| Rahul Dravid | 1 | 8 | 8 | 8.00 | 0 | 0 |
| Gautam Gambhir | 2 | 65 | 44 | 32.50 | 0 | 0 |
| Virat Kohli | 76 | 4110 | 264 | 61.34 | 18 | 14 |
| Suresh Raina | 9 | 517 | 114 | 103.40 | 2 | 3 |
| Virender Sehwag | 4 | 284 | 95 | 94.66 | 0 | 3 |
| Rohit Sharma | 55 | 2506 | 208* | 52.20 | 5 | 17 |
| Shubman Gill | 3 | 202 | 121* | 101.00 | 1 | 1 |
The numbers under Kohli's captaincy particularly stand out, with Rohit averaging over 61 and scoring 18 hundreds, a period that coincided with India's dominance in ODI cricket. His own stint as captain has also been prolific, as he's combined leadership with personal milestones.
As Captain vs Non-Captain: Leading From the Front
Rohit's transformation into a leader has only enhanced his batting output. Unlike many players who see a dip in form after taking on the captaincy, Rohit has maintained both consistency and aggression, reflecting his calm yet confident leadership style.
| Role | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As Captain | 55 | 2506 | 208* | 52.20 | 5 | 17 |
| As Non-Captain | 213 | 8864 | 264 | 48.43 | 28 | 42 |
As captain, Rohit averaged over 52 with five centuries and 17 fifties, leading India to several series wins and maintaining a win percentage close to 75 in ODIs. His calm temperament and sharp reading of the game make him one of the finest ODI captains India has produced in recent times.
The Legacy of the Hitman
Across venues, years, and leadership eras, Rohit Sharma's ODI career has been defined by elegance, consistency, and impact. His 33 hundreds, including three double tons, and the mammoth 264 - the highest individual score in the ODI's history - have redefined what's possible in the 50-over format.
If the Sydney innings was indeed his last ODI act in Australia, it was the perfect farewell, a majestic hundred that encapsulated everything Rohit Sharma stands for: timing, temperament, and total control.
