3 ODI milestones Rohit Sharma could break in 2026
Rohit Sharma may be close to the end of his ODI journey, but he still looks hungry for runs and records. Even now, whenever he walks out to open for India, fans expect entertainment. One good innings from Rohit can completely change the mood of a match. Over the years, he has produced some unbelievable moments in ODI cricket. The three double centuries alone tell the story of his greatness. Very few batters dominated ODI bowling attacks the way Rohit did in his prime.
India will play 11 more ODIs in 2026, and that gives Rohit enough opportunities to climb higher in the record books. A few good knocks could help him cross multiple milestones this year. As the legendary opener prepares for these upcoming fixtures, let us take a closer look at the historic landmarks within his reach.
1. Surpassing Inzamam-ul-Haq on the ODI Runs Chart
The nearest and perhaps most straightforward milestone for Rohit Sharma involves his position on the all-time ODI run-scorers list. Currently, Rohit has accumulated an impressive total of 11,593 runs in ODI cricket. He needs only 147 more runs to go past the former Pakistan captain and legendary batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq, who finished his illustrious career with a tally of 11,739 runs.
Given Rohit’s immense experience, technical quality, and role as an opening batsman, reaching this mark should not pose a major challenge. Inzamam-ul-Haq was one of the pillars of Pakistan’s batting lineup for more than a decade, and overtaking him will place Rohit even higher among the pantheon of ODI greats. With 11 matches scheduled for India in 2026, Rohit could potentially achieve this milestone in the very first few games of the year, provided he finds his usual rhythm at the crease.
2. Overtaking Ricky Ponting, Allan Border, and Mahela Jayawardene in Unbeaten Innings
Another highly interesting milestone within Rohit’s reach involves the number of unbeaten innings in ODI cricket. Currently, Rohit has remained not out on 37 occasions during his ODI career. Just ahead of him on this list are some of the most respected names in cricket history: Australia’s legendary captains Ricky Ponting and Allan Border, along with Sri Lankan icon Mahela Jayawardene, who all finished their respective careers with exactly 39 unbeaten innings.
This means Rohit needs only three more not-out innings to move ahead of all three legendary figures. While fans and analysts frequently focus on flashy statistics like centuries, double centuries, and high strike rates, the number of unbeaten innings is a crucial metric that often goes underappreciated. Remaining not out highlights a batsman’s ability to control a run chase, anchor the innings, and guide the team safely to the finish line. Rohit has executed this role masterfully for India over the years, combining his natural attacking flair with the maturity required to finish games outstandingly.
3. Climbing Past Brian Lara, Mohammad Yousuf, and Aravinda de Silva in ODI Fifties
In addition to run tallies and unbeaten finishes, Rohit is also on the verge of overtaking several iconic batsmen in terms of ODI half-centuries. To date, Rohit has registered 61 fifties in ODI cricket. He is currently chasing the tallies of three legendary middle-order maestros: West Indies great Brian Lara, who retired with 63 ODI fifties, and Pakistan’s Mohammad Yousuf alongside Sri Lanka’s Aravinda de Silva, who both accumulated 64 half-centuries in their careers.
Rohit requires just four more half-centuries to surpass all three legends and climb higher up this historic ladder. Scoring four fifties in the 11 scheduled ODIs of 2026 is a highly realistic target for a batsman of his caliber. Achieving this would further solidify his status as one of the most consistent and dependable top-order batsmen the game has ever seen, placing him ahead of some of the most elegant stroke-makers in cricket history.
The Significance of Rohit’s 2026 ODI Campaign
What makes these milestones feel incredibly special and urgent is the underlying uncertainty surrounding Rohit’s future in ODI cricket. Having reached the age of 39, he may not continue playing international cricket for much longer. Because of this, every single ODI innings Rohit plays now carries immense weight and feels deeply important for Indian cricket fans who want to cherish every moment of his batting.
Although Rohit may not feature in as much cricket as he did during his younger days, he still possesses the unique ability to produce match-winning knocks single-handedly. If he can find his rhythm early in 2026, cricket enthusiasts around the world could witness a few more historic moments from one of India’s absolute greatest ODI batsmen. The upcoming matches represent more than just statistics; they are a celebration of a legendary career reaching its final, record-breaking chapters.
