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    STUMP VISION                                                      NOVEMBER 07, 2025        |  The Indian Eye 45

                                                             ROHIT SHARMA

             The Relentless Hitman Who Redefined

                                Indian Cricket’s Aggression

             India’s modern batting icon reaches the pinnacle of ODI rankings and earns global praise

                                for transforming Team India’s fearless approach across formats.

            OUR BUREAU
            Dubai / Mumbai

                 ormer India skipper Rohit Sharma has
                 etched another golden chapter in his glitter-
            Fing career, becoming the No. 1-ranked player
            in the ICC Men’s ODI Batter Rankings for the first
            time. The milestone comes after his spectacular un-
            beaten century against Australia in Sydney, where
            he led India to a commanding nine-wicket victory.
            It’s a fitting reward for a player whose career has
            been a blend of elegance, endurance, and evolution.
                Rohit’s sublime 121* off 125 balls, laced with
            13 fours and three towering sixes, was a master-
            class in controlled aggression. Batting alongside
            Virat Kohli, who scored an unbeaten 74*, the duo
            revived India’s chase with a 168-run partnership
            that reminded fans why “Ro-Ko” remains one of
            the most formidable pairings in world cricket. For
            a man who has held a place in the ICC top 10 for
            nearly a decade, this long-awaited ascent to the top
            is symbolic of his longevity and consistency. “It was
            a fantastic partnership. We haven’t had a 100-run
            stand for a while, and it came at a crucial time,”
            Rohit said after the game. “We’ve played so much
            cricket together, we understand each other well—                               Rohit Sharma (ANI file photo)
            it’s about experience and knowing what’s needed
            at that moment.”                             highest globally—while recording more fifty-plus   growing all-format depth. The ripple effect of
                The knock was a redemption of sorts after a dis-  scores than any other team. His leadership style   Rohit’s leadership is visible—whether it’s Axar’s
            appointing outing earlier in the series. Following a   balances calm assurance with bold innovation,   emergence as a dependable utility player, or the
            meagre 8 in Perth, Rohit bounced back with scores   empowering players to take risks without fear of   rise of young talents like Abhishek Sharma, whose
            of 73 and 121*, showcasing both resilience and   failure. “It has to be driven by the players,” Dravid   fearless  batting  defined  India’s  undefeated  Asia
            adaptability. “I enjoy playing in Australia,” he said   noted. “They are the ones who take those chances   Cup campaign under Suryakumar Yadav.
            later. “It was about batting deep and sticking to the   in the middle, and Rohit has given them the confi-  Rohit’s impact extends beyond numbers or
            plan. Sometimes it doesn’t work out, but this was one   dence to do that.”                 milestones. He has become a symbol of Indian
            of those days when everything clicked perfectly.”  Rohit’s achievement also reflects his remark-  cricket’s cultural shift—from the patient accumu-
                This innings wasn’t just about individual bril-  able adaptability across formats. Even as his young-  lation of the early 2000s to the audacious aggres-
            liance;  it  was  emblematic  of  the  mindset  Rohit   er teammates like Shubman Gill and Suryakumar   sion  of  today.  His  philosophy—rooted  in  trust,
            has infused into Indian cricket over the past few   Yadav surge into prominence, the 38-year-old con-  experience, and calculated risk—has produced a
            years. Former India coach Rahul Dravid, speak-  tinues to reinvent himself. His ability to blend clas-  generation unafraid to express itself. This is the
            ing on Breakfast with Champions, credited Rohit   sical strokeplay with explosive hitting has kept him   same player who once struggled to cement his
            for transforming India’s approach to the modern   relevant in an era defined by high-tempo cricket.   place in the team; now, he’s shaping its future.
            game. “From the time I came in, we discussed   More importantly, his innings in Sydney was a   As India prepares for another season of
            playing a more aggressive brand of cricket,” Dra-  statement of authority—a reminder that experi-  packed international cricket, Rohit’s return to the
            vid recalled. “Rohit deserves immense credit for   ence, when allied with hunger, can still dominate   top feels poetic—a captain who dared to dream
            pushing the team in that direction. Today, India is   modern cricket’s fast-evolving dynamics.  big, stumbled, rose again, and taught his team to
            changing what T20 cricket looks like. Our batting   While Rohit soared to the top of the ODI   play without fear. Whether it’s an elegant drive
            is off the charts—everyone’s looking at India now   charts, his teammates also gained ground in the   through covers or a towering pull into the stands,
            and trying to catch up.”                     latest ICC rankings. Spinner Axar Patel climbed   Rohit’s bat still speaks the language of dominance
                Under  Rohit’s  influence,  India’s  collective   six spots to 31st among ODI bowlers and rose to   and belief. And in that fluent, fearless rhythm lies
            strike rate in T20Is has surged to 148.53—third   eighth in the all-rounder list, reinforcing India’s   the heartbeat of modern Indian cricket.

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