Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma, nicknamed Hitman, wasn't always destined for greatness. Raised in Mumbai by his grandparents, his cricketing journey began at a summer camp. Impressing coach Dinesh Lad, he switched schools and honed his skills, initially as an off-spinner before his batting prowess shone through.

His talent blossomed in domestic cricket, with centuries in school competitions and a List-A debut for West Zone in 2006. An unbeaten 142 against North Zone propelled him into the spotlight, followed by impressive performances for India A and Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy.

Just a year after his domestic debut, Sharma earned his India call-up. A last-minute replacement for Yuvraj Singh in the 2007 T20 World Cup, he grabbed his opportunity with a fifty against South Africa, announcing his arrival on the global stage.

The Indian Premier League became his next proving ground. After two seasons with the Deccan Chargers, he joined Mumbai Indians in 2011. In 2013, captaincy unlocked his leadership potential, leading Mumbai to their first IPL title. He went on to become the most successful captain in the league, guiding Mumbai to five championships.

Despite early promise, Sharma endured a period of inconsistency, missing the 2011 World Cup. However, his IPL exploits caught the eye, leading to a recall. A crucial decision by MS Dhoni to promote him as opener in 2013 proved transformative.

Sharma formed a lethal partnership with Shikhar Dhawan, becoming a dominant force in white-ball cricket. He helped India clinch the 2013 Champions Trophy and etched his name in history by smashing three ODI double centuries, including the highest individual score of 264 against Sri Lanka.

Part of India's World Cup squads in 2015 and 2019, Sharma reached new heights in 2019, topping the scoring charts with five centuries. His elegance and power became synonymous with white-ball dominance.

However, Test cricket remained a challenge. After a promising debut in 2013 with a century, he struggled for consistency, often failing to replicate his ODI form outside the subcontinent.

His impressive performances on tours to Australia and South Africa in 2020-21 finally established him as a reliable Test opener. This resurgence, coupled with his leadership qualities, led to him being appointed India's captain across all formats after Virat Kohli stepped down.

Rohit's journey is a testament to talent, perseverance, and adaptability. As captain, he faces the challenge of leading India to new heights in all formats, building upon his legacy as a batsman and leader who rose from the streets of Nagpur to become a global cricketing icon.