“Have realized that something is missing when I am playing ODIs” - When Rohit Sharma opened up on his lean patch in 2012
Today, Rohit Sharma is one of the most successful batters in ODIs. In fact 'The Hitman', as he is fondly called, is the only batter in the history of ODIs to have notched up as many as three double hundreds. In 265 ODIs, he has amassed 10,866 runs at an average of 49.16, with 31 hundreds and 57 half-centuries.
The 37-year-old took some time to find his feet in ODIs. From his debut in June 2007 till the end of 2012, he featured in 86 ODIs, scoring 1,978 runs at a mediocre average of 30.43, with just a couple of hundreds to his name.
In an interview with the Times of India in October 2012, a young Rohit admitted that he hadn't cracked the code in ODIs and was trying to find the missing link. He candidly said:
"Yes, I enjoy my stints in Twenty20. I sincerely hope I can adapt this to one-day cricket too, and do what I manage to do in T20. I have succeeded in this format regardless of conditions, batting order and any other factors. I hope it rubs off on other formats too. I have realized that something is missing when I am playing ODIs, but I don't what. I am trying to figure out what is this missing link."
Asked about whether there was an issue with his approach in the ODI format, the right-handed batter replied:
"I've really not thought about it. I go with the same approach in all formats. There are aspects to my batting that don't necessarily have to change just because I'm playing a different format. That's why I said, I really need to figure out what it is."
While Rohit took some time to get going in the ODIs, he was at ease in the T20Is from the start. He debuted in the 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa and played a couple of important knocks in Team India's triumph.
How opening the innings in ODIs changed Rohit Sharma's fortunes
Rohit's fortunes took a turn for the good in 2013 when he was moved up to open the innings in ODIs. Since then he has been a completely different player. Starting in 2013, the right-handed batter has featured in 179 ODIs and has amassed 8,888 runs at an average of 56.97, with 29 the aid of centuries.
He formed a brilliant opening combination with Shikhar Dhawan. The right-left duo opened the batting in 115 innings for India, scoring 5,148 runs as a pair, averaging 45.55, with 18 hundred stands and 15 half-century partnerships.