Rohit Sharma joins the top 10 list of openers with 15,000 international runs

In a remarkable achievement, India's captain Rohit Sharma has become only the third Indian batter to score 15,000 runs in international cricket as an opener. This milestone was reached during the opening ODI against Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday, August 2. Rohit's accomplishment places him alongside legendary Indian openers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, as well as other renowned openers worldwide. Below is a list of the top ten openers with the most international runs:

1. Sanath Jayasuriya: The former Sri Lankan opener holds the record for the most runs as an opener in international cricket, with an impressive total of 19,298 runs. Known for his aggressive batting style, Jayasuriya was a pioneer in transforming the role of the opener.

2. Chris Gayle: The West Indies legend has amassed 18,867 runs as an opener. Gayle's explosive batting and ability to score quickly have made him one of the most feared openers in cricket history.

3. David Warner: Representing Australia, Warner has scored 18,744 runs as an opener. His aggressive approach at the top of the order has been instrumental in many of Australia's victories.

4. Graeme Smith: The former South Africa captain has accumulated 16,950 runs as an opener. Smith's leadership and consistent performances were crucial to South Africa's success during his tenure.

5. Desmond Haynes: Another West Indies great, Haynes scored 16,120 runs as an opener. His partnership with Gordon Greenidge is considered one of the most successful opening pairs in cricket.

6. Virender Sehwag: Known for his fearless batting, Sehwag scored 16,119 runs as an opener for India. His ability to dominate bowlers from the start set him apart as one of the most exciting openers.

7. Sachin Tendulkar: The legendary Indian cricketer amassed 15,335 runs as an opener. Tendulkar's technical prowess and consistency made him a role model for aspiring cricketers worldwide.

8. Rohit Sharma: With his recent achievement, Rohit has joined the elite club of openers with over 15,000 runs. Known for his ability to convert starts into big scores, Rohit has three double centuries in ODIs, showcasing his talent and determination.

9. Adam Gilchrist: The Australian wicketkeeper-batter scored 14,868 runs as an opener. Gilchrist's aggressive batting and excellent keeping skills made him a key player in Australia's golden era.

10. Tillakaratne Dilshan: The Sri Lankan opener scored 14,276 runs, known for his innovative shots and consistency at the top of the order, playing a vital role in Sri Lanka's batting lineup.

Rohit Sharma's journey as an opener began in January 2013, six years after making his international debut in 2007. Initially playing as a middle-order batter, his transformation into one of the greatest openers in ODI cricket is widely acclaimed. Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth has praised Rohit as one of the greatest one-day openers, emphasizing his knack for scoring big hundreds and double centuries, which significantly impact the team's success.

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At the time of writing, India was 77-1 in 13 overs while chasing a target of 231, with Rohit Sharma unbeaten on 56, further demonstrating his invaluable contribution to the team's cause.