ROHIT Sharma: The Hitman of Cricket
Role: Batter (Right-hand)
DOB: April 30, 1987
IPL Team (2026): Mumbai Indians (Retained)
Base Price: N/A (Retained)
IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 278 | 273 | 30 | 7091 | 109* | 29.18 | 5456 | 129.96 | 2 | 48 | 634 | 289 | 117 |
| 2026 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 150 | 65 | 21.43 | 120 | 125.00 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 6 | 3 |
| 2025 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 350 | 80 | 25.00 | 270 | 129.63 | 0 | 3 | 30 | 15 | 7 |
| 2024 | 14 | 14 | 1 | 380 | 105 | 29.23 | 290 | 131.03 | 1 | 2 | 35 | 18 | 8 |
| 2023 | 16 | 16 | 0 | 332 | 65 | 20.75 | 269 | 123.42 | 0 | 2 | 35 | 18 | 7 |
| 2022 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 268 | 48 | 19.14 | 209 | 120.19 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 11 | 5 |
| 2021 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 381 | 63 | 29.30 | 290 | 131.37 | 0 | 1 | 33 | 15 | 6 |
| 2020 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 332 | 80 | 27.66 | 261 | 127.20 | 0 | 3 | 27 | 19 | 5 |
| 2019 | 15 | 15 | 2 | 405 | 67 | 28.92 | 319 | 126.95 | 0 | 2 | 40 | 13 | 11 |
| 2018 | 14 | 14 | 1 | 286 | 94 | 23.83 | 229 | 124.89 | 0 | 2 | 29 | 12 | 10 |
| 2017 | 17 | 17 | 2 | 333 | 67 | 25.61 | 281 | 118.50 | 0 | 2 | 29 | 10 | 10 |
| 2016 | 14 | 14 | 4 | 489 | 85* | 44.45 | 374 | 130.74 | 0 | 5 | 49 | 20 | 5 |
| 2015 | 16 | 16 | 3 | 482 | 98* | 37.07 | 350 | 137.71 | 0 | 3 | 41 | 21 | 8 |
| 2014 | 15 | 15 | 3 | 390 | 59* | 32.50 | 305 | 127.86 | 0 | 3 | 33 | 15 | 7 |
| 2013 | 19 | 19 | 5 | 538 | 79* | 33.62 | 407 | 132.18 | 0 | 4 | 51 | 28 | 10 |
| 2012 | 17 | 17 | 4 | 433 | 109* | 33.30 | 320 | 135.31 | 1 | 3 | 39 | 22 | 7 |
| 2011 | 16 | 16 | 4 | 372 | 87* | 31.00 | 286 | 130.00 | 0 | 4 | 33 | 13 | 5 |
| 2010 | 16 | 16 | 3 | 404 | 73* | 31.07 | 290 | 139.31 | 0 | 3 | 35 | 14 | 3 |
| 2009 | 16 | 16 | 4 | 362 | 52* | 30.16 | 287 | 126.13 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 11 | 2 |
| 2008 | 13 | 13 | 2 | 404 | 66* | 36.72 | 287 | 140.76 | 0 | 4 | 39 | 13 | 2 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 278 | 306 | 411 | 15 | 4/6 | 27.40 | 8.05 | 20.40 | 1 | 0 |
| 2026 | 7 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2025 | 14 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2024 | 14 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2023 | 16 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2022 | 14 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2021 | 13 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2020 | 12 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2019 | 15 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2018 | 14 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2017 | 17 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2016 | 14 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2015 | 16 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2014 | 15 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2013 | 19 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2012 | 17 | 12 | 19 | 1 | 1/19 | 19.00 | 9.50 | 12.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 1 | 1/14 | 14.00 | 7.00 | 12.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 0 | 0/15 | – | 7.50 | – | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 16 | 48 | 68 | 2 | 2/6 | 34.00 | 8.50 | 24.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 13 | 222 | 295 | 11 | 4/6 | 26.81 | 7.97 | 20.1 | 1 | 0 |
The Story of ROHIT Sharma: The Hitman of Cricket
From the dusty grounds of Borivali to the glittering stadiums of the IPL, Rohit Sharma’s journey is a testament to raw talent honed into devastating precision. Born in Nagpur, Rohit’s early cricketing life saw him as an off-spinner who could bat a bit. It was Dinesh Lad, his coach, who recognized his prodigious batting talent and pushed him to focus on it. His elegant strokeplay and natural timing quickly caught the eye, leading to his domestic debut for Mumbai in 2006.
Rohit’s IPL story began with the Deccan Chargers in the inaugural 2008 season. He quickly established himself as a dynamic middle-order batsman, capable of clearing boundaries with ease. His breakthrough moment arrived in the 2009 season, where he played a pivotal role in Deccan Chargers’ title triumph, even picking up a hat-trick against Mumbai Indians with his off-spin. This early success showcased his all-round capabilities and his knack for performing under pressure.
However, it was his move to Mumbai Indians in 2011 that truly transformed his IPL career. Initially a key batsman, he was handed the captaincy mid-season in 2013, a decision that would forever alter the franchise’s fortunes. Rohit’s calm demeanor, tactical acumen, and ability to lead from the front, often with crucial match-winning innings, quickly turned MI into the league’s most dominant force. His playing style is a beautiful blend of classical timing and brutal power. He doesn’t muscle the ball; he caresses it with exquisite timing, making sixes look effortless, especially his signature pull shot.
Affectionately known as “The Hitman,” Rohit Sharma has consistently been one of the IPL’s most prolific run-scorers and arguably its most successful captain. His ability to anchor an innings, accelerate at will, and deliver under immense pressure has made him a legend of the tournament. Even in the twilight of his career, his presence at the crease commands respect, and his leadership continues to inspire.
IPL Journey: Team by Team
Rohit Sharma’s IPL career has primarily been defined by two franchises, with a clear turning point that cemented his legacy:
- Deccan Chargers (2008-2010): Rohit was picked up by the Deccan Chargers in the inaugural 2008 auction for an undisclosed but significant sum. He was an instant impact player, scoring 404 runs in his debut season. His most memorable contribution came in 2009, where he scored 362 runs and was instrumental in their title win, notably taking a hat-trick against MI with figures of 4/6. He continued to be a vital cog for DC, scoring 404 runs in 2010, showcasing his consistency as a young talent.
- Mumbai Indians (2011-Present): The 2011 mega-auction saw Mumbai Indians acquire Rohit for a staggering $2 million (approx. INR 9.2 Crores at the time), a move that would prove to be one of the best investments in IPL history. He immediately became a cornerstone of their batting lineup. In 2013, he took over captaincy mid-season from Ricky Ponting and led MI to their maiden IPL title. This marked the beginning of an unprecedented era of dominance. Under his leadership, MI went on to win titles in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020, making him the most successful captain in IPL history with five trophies. He has consistently been retained by MI, a testament to his irreplaceable value as both a batsman and a leader.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
For bettors, Rohit Sharma is a fascinating case study, offering both high rewards and occasional frustrations. Understanding his nuances is key:
- Strengths to Bet On:
- The Big Score Potential: When Rohit gets set, he has the ability to convert starts into substantial scores, including centuries (as seen in 2024). Bet on him for ‘Over X.5 Runs’ when he’s past the powerplay and looks comfortable.
- Pull Shot Prowess: On pitches with good bounce, especially against pacers, his pull shot is devastating. Look for matchups against teams with pace-heavy attacks.
- Captain’s Knock: In high-pressure games (playoffs, finals), Rohit often steps up. His leadership experience translates into clutch performances.
- Home Ground Advantage (Wankhede): The true bounce and short boundaries at Wankhede are tailor-made for his style. He often thrives there.
- Weaknesses to Bet Against:
- Early Dismissals: Rohit can be vulnerable to swing and seam early in his innings, particularly against left-arm pacers or quality new-ball bowlers. Consider ‘Under X.5 Runs’ in such matchups.
- Slow Starts: He often takes time to settle, which can lead to a lower strike rate in the powerplay. This might affect ‘First Six Overs Runs’ bets for his team if he’s struggling.
- Form Fluctuations: While capable of brilliance, Rohit can have periods of inconsistent form. Monitor his recent scores closely before placing bets.
- Conditions & Matchups: He prefers true, bouncy pitches over slow, turning tracks. Spinners can trouble him if the ball grips. His record against certain bowlers (e.g., Rashid Khan, Trent Boult in early spells) might offer specific betting opportunities.
- Consistency Metrics: While his average hovers around 29-30, his strike rate can vary. Look for trends in his strike rate over the last few games to gauge his current attacking intent.
Key Records & Milestones
- Most IPL titles as captain: 5 (Mumbai Indians: 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020).
- One of only two players to score 7000+ runs in IPL history (as of April 2026).
- Second-highest number of sixes in IPL history (289 sixes as of April 2026).
- One of the few players with over 100 catches in IPL (117 catches as of April 2026).
- Holds the unique record of scoring a century and taking a hat-trick in the IPL.
- Most matches played by an Indian player in IPL history (278 matches as of April 2026).
IPL Season Highlights
Rohit Sharma has delivered numerous memorable seasons, but a few stand out for their impact and individual brilliance:
- 2012: This was a landmark season where Rohit truly blossomed as a batsman. He scored his maiden IPL century, an unbeaten 109* against Kolkata Knight Riders, showcasing his ability to accelerate and finish games. He ended the season with 433 runs at an impressive average of 33.30 and a strike rate of 135.31, laying the groundwork for his future captaincy.
- 2016: A season where Rohit led from the front with the bat, scoring 489 runs at a remarkable average of 44.45 with 5 half-centuries. Despite MI not winning the title, his personal form was exceptional, demonstrating his consistency and ability to anchor the innings while maintaining a healthy strike rate of 130.74.
- 2024: A resurgence year for The Hitman, where he silenced critics with a crucial century (105 runs) and two half-centuries, accumulating 380 runs. This season demonstrated his enduring class and ability to still produce match-winning innings, reminding everyone of his explosive potential at the top of the order.