Rohit Sharma Sets New Indian Opening Batting Record in ODI

Rohit Sharma scored 79 runs off 69 balls against Afghanistan in the third ODI at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium on June 20, helping India chase a modest target of 219. The knock made him the highest‑run‑scoring opening batter for India in ODIs, surpassing Virender Sehwag’s 16,119 runs with a total of 16,137.

The performance also moved Sharma into the global top five for most runs as an opener, placing him fifth behind Sanath Jayasuriya, Chris Gayle, David Warner and Graeme Smith. In addition, his innings marked his 95th score of 50 + runs in ODIs, elevating him to third on India’s all‑time list for 50‑plus scores, ahead of Rahul Dravid.