Perth, Australia – In a career already adorned with double centuries, IPL titles, and ICC triumphs, Rohit Sharma etched yet another chapter in cricket’s grand ledger.
On a sun-kissed morning at Optus Stadium, the 38-year-old opener walked out to bat for 
India in the first ODI against Australia, marking his 500th international appearance.
As It was a quiet entry into an exclusive club—one that underscores not just longevity,
But the relentless pursuit of excellence in a sport that devours the faint-hearted.
Rohit’s journey to this landmark began under overcast skies in Belfast, Ireland, back in June 2007.
A 20-year-old prodigy with a lazy elegance and a penchant for audacious drives, he stepped into the ODI arena against Ireland, scoring a modest 4.
Little did the world know that this lanky Mumbai lad would go on to redefine white-ball batting.
Fast-forward 18 years, and here he was in Perth, his 274th ODI, flanked by a new generation under Shubman Gill’s captaincy.
The transition from skipper to seasoned campaigner hasn’t dimmed his fire; if anything, it has honed it.
This milestone isn’t just a number—it’s a testament to Sharma’s adaptability across eras and formats.
From a middle-order enforcer in his early days to the architect of India’s explosive top order, Rohit has amassed 19,700 runs in 499 prior internationals at an average of 42.18, including 49 centuries and 108 fifties.
His highest score ? A breathtaking 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014, the first-ever ODI double ton by an Indian.
Just three more centuries’ worth of runs, and he’ll join the rare 20,000-run club, becoming only the fourth Indian after Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Rahul Dravid.
The Elite Indian Lineup: A Legacy of Longevity
Rohit Sharma is the fifth Indian to breach the 500-match barrier, a feat that places him among the nation’s cricketing immortals.
Here’s a quick glance at his fellow members of this prestigious group:
| Player | Total Matches | Runs | Centuries | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | 664 | 34,357 | 100 | First to 500, God of Cricket |
| Virat Kohli | 550* | 27,599* | 80 | Modern run-machine, current star |
| MS Dhoni | 538 | 17,266 | 10 | 3 ICC Trophies as Captain |
| Rahul Dravid | 509 | 24,064 | 36 | The Wall, tactical genius |
| Rohit Sharma | 500* | 19,700* | 49 | Hitman, T20 World Cup 2024 and Champions Trophy as Captain |
Globally, Rohit Sharma becomes only the 11th player to reach this mark, behind legends like Mahela Jayawardene (652), Kumar Sangakkara (594), and Sanath Jayasuriya (586).
At 38 years and 171 days, he’s the second-oldest to do so, trailing just Dravid (38 years and 241 days).
It’s a club that demands not just skill, but resilience—surviving injuries, form slumps,
and the unyielding scrutiny of a billion fans.
A Career in Highlights: From Prodigy to Pinnacle
Rohit’s stats paint a picture of a batsman who thrives on the big stage.
In ODIs (273 matches), he’s plundered 11,168 runs at 48.76, with 32 tons.
His T20I ledger reads 4,231 runs in 159 games at a blistering 99.30 strike rate, including five centuries.
Even in the longest format, where he captained India to historic heights, 67 Tests yielded 3,388 runs with 12 centuries.
But numbers only tell half the story.
Who can forget his five hundreds in the 2019 ODI World Cup, or the blistering 92 off 41 balls in the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final that sealed India’s path to glory in Barbados ?
As Mumbai Indians skipper, he’s lifted the IPL trophy six times—five with MI and one with Deccan Chargers—tying the record for most titles as captain.
Off the field, his laid-back demeanor belies a fierce competitor; the “Hitman” nickname isn’t for show.
This Perth outing marks his return after a seven-month hiatus, last seen hoisting the Champions Trophy in March 2025.
Post that triumph, he shed 10 kilograms in the off-season, signaling a renewed hunger.
Yet, the series arrives amid whispers of transition—Gill’s elevation to ODI captaincy has sparked debates about Rohit’s and Kohli’s futures ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
A strong showing Down Under could silence the doubters.
Echoes for Rohit Sharma from the Cricket Fraternity
The milestone didn’t go unnoticed. On X (formerly Twitter), tributes poured in from fans and peers alike.
The Bihar Cricket Association hailed him as a beacon of “consistency, class, and commitment,”
while stats aficionados marveled at the rarity: only three players (Dhoni, Kohli, and now Rohit) have crossed 400 T20s and 500 internationals.
BCCI’s poster tribute captured the sentiment— a silhouette of Rohit mid-drive, captioned simply: “500 and Counting.”
As India chased a rain-affected target in Perth—settling for a narrow win after posting 136/9—Rohit fell early for 8, edging Josh Hazlewood to slip.
But true to form, he walked off with head high, the weight of history lifting rather than burdening.
In a format evolving faster than ever, Rohit Sharma reminds us why cricket’s true magic lies in its enduring stars.
For the Hitman, 500 is no endpoint; it’s merely halftime.
With eyes on 20,000 runs and perhaps one more World Cup charge, Sharma’s bat remains a loaded weapon.
Perth was just the latest detonation.
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