6 reasons why Rohit Sharma is a great ODI batsman of this generation

1. Rohit Sharma in ODI's Since 2013

January 2013 it was when Rohit Sharma's career was revived by MS Dhoni and Team management as he started opening the batting regularly for Team India.

Since then, he didn't look backwards and reached new heights with his performances.

Looking at his performance since he started opening again in 2013, he has amassed 5475 runs in 106 innings at a scintillating average of 60.2 and a superb strike rate of 93.33.

In this time period, he was able to score 25 fifties and 19 hundreds, which is second best to Virat Kohli in the same time period.

His consistency stood at 50%, which is not bad at all considering he plays a valuable knock every alternate innings.

However, the picture is not all rosy in this time period. He has a low-scores percentage of 47%, which is too low for a batsman of his calibre. An aspect which he needs to tremendously work on to be among the greatest opening batsman of all time in ODIs.

From an Eagle eye's view, the stats look amazing. However, the numbers may be deceiving as they might not reveal all the details. Hence, let's first understand his performance in different countries.

2. Rohit Sharma's ODI performance in different countries

A performance in Non-Subcontinent places is considered an important aspect for any player, and Rohit Sharma's performance has been top notch in all countries, barring a couple of instances.

Rohit Sharma’s ODI Performance at different places since 2013

In England and Australia, he has been very dangerous as he has scored at an average of 57.25 and 82.9 respectively, and a strike rate of 82.97 and 97.99 respectively.

However, his numbers take a dip in South Africa, as could manage only 207 runs in eight innings at a poor average of 25.87 and a strike rate of 75.54. A similar situation has been in New Zealand where he could manage only 225 runs in seven innings at an average of 32.14 and a strike rate of 77.85.

We would say these are poor numbers, but again the number of matches played are also very less to reach to a conclusion. He still has a chance to improve on them by the time he retires.

Moving on to his performance in India and other places, his records are mind-blowing as he not only scored quickly but also got those runs at a healthy average.

His average of 70.38 in India is only bettered by Virat Kohli, who also has a phenomenal average of 71.21. Moreover, all the doubts of him being a 'Flat Track Bully' should be put to rest given his superb display of batting in England, Australia and other countries.

Alright then, performance against top teams is also equally important as is the performance at different places

3. Rohit Sharma's Performance against South Africa, England and Australia

Among the top teams, South Africa has been the only team against whom Rohit Sharma has had a below par record. However, 539 runs at an average of 33.68 and a strike rate of 84.61 are not bad numbers though.

But hey, Is there any player other than Virat Kohli who has been perfect against all the teams? "The answer for that would be NO".

Rohit Sharma’s ODI Performance against SA, ENG and AUS since 2013

His record against England and Australia are non-comparable to any modern day opener, especially Australia, against whom he has a 'Bradmanesque' average of 93.33.

Moving on to this performance in ICC tournaments.

4. Rohit Sharma's ODI Performance in ICC Tournaments.

A great player should be able to score in big tournaments, and that's why Rohit Sharma's performance in ICC tournaments becomes equally important.

Rohit Sharma’s ODI Performance in World Cup and Champions Trophy

Rohit Sharma has been brilliant in both the ICC tournaments, and it shows from the stats.

In World Cup, he has scored 330 runs in eight innings at an average of 47.14 and a strike rate of 91.66. This included his famous match-winning century against Bangladesh in quarter-finals of the World Cup 2015.

In Champions Trophy, he has been even better scoring 481 runs in 10 innings at an average of 53.44 and a strike rate of 82.5.

Now then, having seen his performances in different scenarios, we now come to the last scenario, which is Rohit Sharma's performance vis-à-vis some of modern day great openers.