He Started as an Off-Spinner
It’s hard to imagine Rohit Sharma as anything but an elegant opening batsman, but his cricketing journey began with the ball, not the bat. In his early days, Rohit was an off-spinner who could bat a bit down the order. It was his childhood coach, Dinesh
Lad, who spotted his batting potential during net sessions. Lad noticed his ability and promoted him from number eight to open the innings in school tournaments. That decision proved to be a masterstroke, setting him on the path to becoming one of the world's most feared opening batsmen. Although he rarely bowls now due to a finger injury, he does have an IPL hat-trick to his name, a feat he achieved for the Deccan Chargers in 2009.
The Story Behind Jersey Number 45
Many cricketers have stories behind their jersey numbers, and Rohit’s is a tale of motherly advice. When he was playing in the Under-19 World Cup, players were asked to pick jersey numbers. Rohit’s preferred number was unavailable. Confused, he called his mother for a suggestion, and she picked the number 45 for him. Coincidentally, an astrologer had also recommended the number nine as lucky for him, and since 4 + 5 equals 9, the choice felt perfect. He didn't want a single-digit number, so his mother's choice of 45 stuck, and it has been on his back ever since.
A Humble Beginning with Financial Struggles
Rohit's journey to stardom was paved with significant financial hardship. Born in Nagpur, he was raised by his grandparents and uncles in Borivali, Mumbai, because his father's income was limited. He would only visit his parents, who lived in a single-room house in Dombivli, on weekends. His family couldn't initially afford the fees for a good cricket academy. Recognizing his talent, his coach Dinesh Lad secured a scholarship for him, which enabled him to attend Swami Vivekanand International School and receive proper training without financial burden for four years.
A Passionate Advocate for Animal Welfare
Off the field, Rohit is a dedicated and vocal advocate for animal rights. He has collaborated with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) on multiple campaigns, including raising awareness against the abuse of elephants in circuses and promoting the sterilisation of homeless dogs and cats to control their population. He believes animals deserve respect and the right to kind treatment. His social media often features his love for animals, and he was known to deeply adore his pet dog, Magic, to whom he once dedicated a half-century after the pet's passing.
A Multilingual Cricketer
Rohit’s linguistic skills are quite impressive. He is fluent in four languages: English, Hindi, Marathi, and Telugu. While his proficiency in English, Hindi, and the local Marathi from his Mumbai upbringing is expected, his command over Telugu often surprises fans. This connection comes from his mother, Purnima Sharma, who hails from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, giving him a strong link to the language and culture.
From Vegetarian Roots to an Eggetarian Diet
Rohit was born into a vegetarian household and was not allowed to eat non-vegetarian food, including eggs, at home. However, to meet the dietary and protein demands of being a professional athlete, he started consuming eggs and other non-vegetarian food outside his home. A popular story, which he later clarified, claimed he once ate 45 eggs in a single day. In an interview, he admitted that while the number was an exaggeration, he did once eat around 20-25 eggs at his coach's house. Today, he is largely described as a vegetarian who consumes eggs.
