Rohit Sharma orchestrated a fairytale finish to his career on Australian soil with an unbeaten hundred in the third ODI, his 33rd in the format, against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday (October 25). By the virtue of his hundred, Rohit will climb to no.1 in the men's ODI batting rankings.
Rohit ended the three-match ODI series against Australia as the leading run-scorer with 202 runs at an average of 101 and strike rate of 85.59. Prior to the series, he was ranked no.3 with 745 points behind Ibrahim Zadran (764) and his skipper Shubman Gill (768 points). However, with a half-century and a century in three innings, Rohit is set to dethrone Gill to the top of the rankings.
At 38 years, Rohit equals Mohammad Nabi's record for being the oldest player to be ranked no.1 in any department of international cricket. Nabi had become the top-ranked all-rounder in ODIs in February 2024. Not surprisingly, Rohit was Player of the Match in the final ODI and also named the Player of the Series.
In a series where batters generally found it tough against the new ball in particular, Rohit managed to use his experience and weathered the storm to get amongst the runs. The former captain acknowledged the need to respect the conditions whenever they are in favour of the bowlers, like they were in this series.
"You expect tough conditions in Australia. Quality bowlers. Gotta understand things and try your best," said Rohit at the post-match presentation ceremony.
"Haven't played for a long time, good prep. Slightly confident coming in. We couldn't win the series - will still take a lot of positives. Young side, there will be a lot of learnings for them."
India's next ODI assignment will be the three-match ODI series at home against South Africa that begins next month.