Harmanpreet Kaur becomes the third Indian captain to lift the World Cup, along with Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni, as India won their very first Women’s World Cup in 2025 against South Africa in Navi Mumbai. Rohit Sharma missed the chance during the 2023 World Cup at home against Australia. However, both of them have a great coincidence in the milestones that will shock everyone.

Both Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet have won ICC trophies as captains, with the former lifting the T20 World Cup 2024 and the Champions Trophy 2025. Besides featuring for the Mumbai Indians, they made their international debut at the age of 20. Both the right-handed batters have 171* against Australia and have featured in most T20Is for the Indian side in men’s and women’s cricket, respectively.

See Also: [WATCH] Ravichandran Ashwin praises India's women's side for showing respect to past heroes post World Cup 2025 victory

Harmanpreet and Rohit scored their maiden international century at number 4 and became the first captain from men’s and women’s cricket to celebrate a T20I century. Besides making their debut in the World Cup against England, they have their respective highest scores in World Cup knockouts. In their individual debuts, they bagged eight runs with the bat.

Know similar milestones between Harmanpreet Kaur and Rohit Sharma to shock fans

Harmanpreet and Rohit have nailed most sixes for the Blue Brigade in respective men’s and women’s cricket and smashed the highest score against Australia for India in the men’s 50-over formats. They have won an Asia Cup as captain and earned the IPL trophy in their debut season as the leader of the side.

In their third season of the IPL, they lifted their second trophy as captain, and on that occasion, they became the player of the match. Among the Indian players, both Kohli and Harmanpreet collected the most Player of the Match awards. Under them, the Mumbai Indians experienced the biggest win in the league. In Men’s and women’s cricket, they have played most World Cup games.

Against South Africa, both claimed their maiden ICC trophy and have grabbed the most catches for the Blue Brigade. Meanwhile, they have the most victories by the Indian captain in T20Is of men’s and women’s cricket, and also use the CEAT bat. Only once, they smashed the international century without hitting a six, and hold your breath- it also came against England for both of them.

Rohit Sharma, the opening batter of the Indian side in the 50-over format, was present at the DY Patil Sports Academy during the Women’s World Cup 2025 final between India and South Africa. He was in tears of joy when the Blue Brigade lifted the trophy for the very first time after missing the chance in the last two occasions in 2003 and 2017. The celebration continued through the entire night.

Apart from the players, the focus should be on the head coach of the women's side, Amol Mazumdar, who was perhaps under immense pressure to deliver. After three successive defeats in the league stage of the event against England, Australia, and South Africa, India were in a spot of bother of getting disqualified ahead of the semifinal.

See Also: [WATCH] Former Indian women's legends share emotional moments during Women's World Cup 2025 trophy celebration

Rohit Sharna posted on Mazumdar around a decade ago on X (formerly known as Twitter), where he called the Mumbai batter an unsung hero and shed light on the individual’s incredible record- “Amol Muzumdar, the unsung hero of Mumbai cricket, retires, leaving behind a tremendous record! Always put his whole heart into his game.”

Rohit Sharma’s old X post on Amol Mazumdar after Women’s World Cup 2025 final goes viral

India posted 298 runs in the first innings thanks to 87 runs by opening batter, Shafali Verma, while Deepti Sharma cracked 58 runs at a run-a-ball with three boundaries and one six. In reply, apart from Laura Wolvaardt’s century, no one could stand for the Proteas as they got bundled out for 246 runs.

Amol Muzumdar the unsung hero of Mumbai cricket retires leaving behind a tremendous record!Always put his whole heart into his game #Respect

— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) September 25, 2014

“There's no doubt about it. I don't know, it's not yet sunk in, but it's an unbelievable achievement by all the girls. I mean, they deserve every credit. They deserve everything that will follow from here because they've worked terribly hard. I know for a fact that they've done extremely well; every Indian is proud.” Mazumdar expressed after the final.

“I really don't know. But I'm sure, as I said, they deserve everything that will follow from here on. And I know for a fact that they've worked extremely hard for this. And I think it's a watershed moment for Indian cricket.” The Indian women’s head coach addressed how the victory would change the future of women’s cricket.

On Sunday, November 2, a number of cricket legends, such as Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma, were seen at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai during the final of the ICC Women's World Cup 2025, where India took on South Africa. The International Cricket Council (ICC) posted a video of the legends looking on in the stands as the Women in Blue made a bid for glory in the high-stakes match up.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar and the National Cricket Academy (NCA) head VVS Laxman were also on hand. The two were captured sitting together and engaging in conversation as Indian women chased their first-ever One-Day International (ODI) World Cup success. In between them, both Gavaskar and Tendulkar have considerable World Cup legacies, with Gavaskar being on hand for India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team, and Tendulkar lifting the trophy in 2011.

India Eyes Maiden Women’s World Cup Title

India is looking to win their first Women’s ODI World Cup title, having finished as runners-up in both 2005 and 2017. The team under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, came in with great momentum into the final after completing a record-breaking chase of defending champions Australia in the semifinal, successful chasing 339, the most runs chased down successfully in a women’s World Cup knockout match. 

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Shefali Verma, Deepti Sharma Shine in India’s Innings 

After being put into bat first, India had an innings of 298/7 in their 50 overs. Opener Shefali Verma, looking to make a big impact opened the innings in blistering mode with an innings of 87 off 78 balls hitting two 6s and seven 4s. Alongside Shefali was Smriti Mandhana who scored 45 off 58 balls to add an opening partnership worth 104 runs. 

In the middle order, Jemimah Rodrigues (24), Harmanpreet Kaur (20), and Amanjot Kaur (12) all contributed useful runs before Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh provide the team with a finishing flourish. Deepti made 58 off 58 balls and Richa made 34 off of 24 balls, hitting two sixes and three fours. For South Africa, Ayabonga Khaka was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/58.

South Africa Pursuing Historic Glory as Well

South Africa reached the final after a commanding 125-run victory over England in the semifinal. They also defeated India in the earlier stages of the tournament, and they are also searching for their first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup title - creating a tantalizing final with two teams chasing history.

The DY Patil Stadium was electric as cricketing legends observed the match, with hopes that India could lift their first Women’s World Cup trophy in front of their home fans.

India’s veteran opening, Rohit Sharma, was in prime form during the recently concluded three-match ODI series against Australia, with one half-century and a century during the second and third encounters in Adelaide and Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). There were questions about whether he would be able to find the old touch, having been out of competitive cricket for a long time. 

A video has gone viral around the social media platforms from the trip where Rohit was seen to surprise a cab driver, who perhaps didn’t notice the batter at the beginning. But the Indian player sat in the car in a cool manner before shaking hands with the driver while taking a leave at his destination.

See Also: Frustrated fans hit out at BCCI for ticket scam of Women's World Cup 2025 final between India and South Africa

Rohit Sharma has publicly announced his wish to be part of the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. But the question is whether he would be able to hold his form and fitness till that period. However, this ODI series down under was a perfect example of how he could sustain more in the 50-over format for India.

Watch: Cab driver surprised at Rohit Sharma’s presence during AUS vs IND ODI series

Rohit, at the Optus Stadium in Perth during the opening clash, looked a bit off-form before getting an outside edge into the hands of the slip fielder against Josh Hazlewood, who was driven for a straight boundary earlier in the innings. The Nagpur-born faced criticism as many called for his retirement by the end of the series.

 

 

 

 

 

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But the right-handed opening batter, who has already retired from the shortest and longest formats of the game, celebrated a fine knock of 73 runs in 97 balls with the help of seven boundaries and a couple of sixes at a strike rate of 75.26. Those sixes felt quite sweet coming off Rohit’s bat.

In the third and final game at the SCG, the Mumbai batter remained unbeaten on 121 runs in 125 balls, riding on 13 boundaries and three sixes at a strike rate of 96.80. His partnership with Virat Kohli (74*) earned the victory for India in that fixture.

Less than 24 hours before the final of the ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025, where the Indian Women's team will face the South African Women's team. Ahead of the final match, a video of Rohit Sharma went viral on social media. In this video, we can see Sharmatalking about his experience at the World Cup with Jemimah Rodrigues and Smriti Mandhana. 

Indian cricket fans have high hopes around Jemimah Rodrigues after his match-winning century against the powerful Australian bowling attack during the semifinal of the ongoing ODI World Cup. Smriti has also so far played a crucial role during the World Cup. 

The video shared on social media ahead of the Women's World Cup is not something new; it is an old conversation, which again proved its relevance among the cricket fans across social media platforms. In this video, we can see Shamra's emotions about winning the most prestigious ICC trophy. He recalled the moment when Team India performed well in ICC tournaments but did not get the desired results. 

Read More: 'Not going anywhere...'- IPL Chairman's bold statement on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's future for World Cup 2027

Rohit Sharma shared his WC experience with Jemimah and Smriti

🚨 WOMEN WORLD CUP 25 🚨

Rohit Sharma has designed the plan & script to win the Women World Cup and sharing with Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues.

'Hitman' Rohit Sharma 🔥 🥵 @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/Qd2lFkfiOi

— Hitman 🇮🇳 Lover 🇮🇳 (@ILoveYouJanu68) October 30, 2025

The 2023 World Cup could have been the most memorable account for the entire team India fans. The loss in the final turned all hope into disappointment. Rohit Sharma captained India in the 2023 ODI World Cup on home soil, guiding the team to a record-breaking unbeaten streak leading up to the final. Despite dominating the tournament, India lost to Australia in the title clash at Ahmedabad.

During the live interaction, Sharma said that it is better to lose matches during the initial stages of the tournament rather than have a heartbreaking loss in the summit clash. He also mentioned that both of the teams (women's and men's) should pray for success during the World Cup. 

Now on the burning topic of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's retirement, Chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Arun Dhumal has made some bold comments. Dhumal strongly believes that Ro-Ko is not going to retire soon from international cricket. 

With the ongoing tour away series against Australia, Rohit and Virat both made a comeback in the blue kit. Almost after a gap of 5 months, it was their first international match, as they had already retired from Test and T20Is. The 3-match Australia vs India ODI series was a special event for the entire cricket committee, mainly for the return of these two stars. In the first match of the series, both the batters proved ineffective. Virat got two back-to-back ducks in the competition, which was extremely rare in his illustrious career. But in the third and the last match of the ODI series, Sharma and Kohli showed they still can play at the highest level under pressure. 'Hitman' slammed an unbeaten 121*, while Virat made a rock-solid 74*. 

After the mesmerizing batting display, a part of the cricket fan strongly believes that the end of 'Ro-Ko' is coming soon. Though, neither from their end nor from the BCCI's end was there any information about the retirements of Virat and Rohit. Fans are also curious to know whether they will play in the 2027 World Cup. 

Read More: [WATCH] Rishabh Pant and India players wish women's side ahead of Women's World Cup 2025 final vs South Africa

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring soon?

"And then you have these greats like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who people think are going, but they are not going. They are here to stay. And the way Rohit has shown his class in this ODI series, at that age, coming as player of the match in the final match and then player of the series, that shows the kind of conviction that they carry, the kind of hard work that they put in," Dhumal commented on the future of 'Ro-Ko.'

"When it comes to Team India, they will want to give it their best. And that is the true reflection of a sportsman. And my best wishes to both of them. They have done wonderfully. They have given their life to Indian cricket."

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam broke the legendary Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma's T20I world record on Friday (October 31) night during the second T20 International of the three-match T20I series against South Africa at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, where the Pakistan cricket team claimed a comfortable win to level the series 1–1.

While Pakistan were chasing a modest 111-run target, openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub gave the team a strong start with a solid 54-run opening partnership in the powerplay.

Coming in at number three, Babar Azam needed just nine runs to surpass Rohit Sharma and become the leading run-scorer in T20I cricket history. With his elegant stroke play and calm composure, the Pakistani batsman achieved the milestone, further strengthening his legacy in international cricket and proving once again why he’s among the best T20 players in the world.

See Also: Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025: Full schedule, groups, format, and India vs Pakistan clash details

History Made: Babar Azam Overtakes Rohit Sharma to Become T20I’s Top Run-Scorer

While Babar Azam scored a duck in the series opener, which Pakistan lost by 55 runs, he comfortably completed those nine runs in the second T20 International to surpass Rohit Sharma and become the highest run-scorer in T20I cricket history.

The Pakistan cricket team captain scored an unbeaten 11 off 18 balls with one boundary at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, as he finished the match with a total of 4,234 T20I runs. This milestone further strengthens Babar Azam’s position among the top T20 batsmen in the world and highlights his consistency in international cricket.

Most T20I runs-scorers

Saim Ayub remained not out for 71 runs off just 38 balls, as the opener smashed six fours and five sixes in the powerful innings, as Pakistan won the match by nine wickets with 41 balls remaining, while the hosts chased down the target in 13.1 overs after losing only one wicket. Among the Proteas bowlers, only Corbin Bosch managed to pick a wicket (1/17). 

In the first innings of the T20I match between Pakistan and South Africa, only Dewald Brevis (25) managed to cross the 20-run mark, while just three other South African batters reached double figures. The South African cricket team struggled against the disciplined Pakistan bowling attack at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Among the standout bowlers, Faheem Ashraf (4/23) led the charge with four wickets, while young pacer Salman Mirza (3/14) impressed with his pace and control, claiming three crucial wickets. Naseem Shah (2/28) and leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed (1/26) also contributed to Pakistan’s dominant bowling performance, helping restrict South Africa to a low total in the second T20 International.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What record did Babar Azam break in the T20I match against South Africa?

Babar Azam broke Rohit Sharma’s T20I world record to become the highest run-scorer in T20 International cricket. He achieved this milestone during the second T20I of the three-match series against South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

2. How many T20I runs has Babar Azam scored after surpassing Rohit Sharma?

After the match against South Africa, Babar Azam’s total T20I runs reached 4,234, surpassing Rohit Sharma’s 4,231 runs to become the top run-scorer in T20I history.

3. Who were the top performers for Pakistan in the second T20I against South Africa?

Saim Ayub led the batting with an unbeaten 71 off 38 balls, while bowlers Faheem Ashraf (4/23), Salman Mirza (3/14), Naseem Shah (2/28), and Abrar Ahmed (1/26) helped Pakistan dominate the match and secure a nine-wicket victory.

4. What was the result of the second T20I between Pakistan and South Africa?

Pakistan defeated South Africa by nine wickets, chasing down a target of 111 runs in just 13.1 overs. The win helped Pakistan level the three-match T20I series 1–1 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

5. Who are the top five run-scorers in T20I cricket as of now?

The current top five T20I run-scorers are:

1. Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 4,234 runs

2. Rohit Sharma (India) – 4,231 runs

3. Virat Kohli (India) – 4,188 runs

4. Jos Buttler (England) – 3,869 runs

5. Paul Stirling (Ireland) – 3,710 runs

On Thursday, October 30, India Women made history by beating Australia Women in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 semifinal at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The five-wicket victory not only ended Australia’s incredible winning streak of 15 World Cup matches, but it included one of the all-time great innings by India in a knockout match in any format of the game, that of Jemimah Rodrigues, who scored 127*.

Australia had earlier scored an imposing 338, thanks to Phoebe Litchfield's 119 off 93 balls, with contributions from Ellyse Perry (77) and Ashleigh Gardner (63). For India, the batting did not get off to the best of starts, losing Shafali Verma (10) and Smriti Mandhana (24) early. Jemimah and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (89) put together a partnership of 167 runs which completely turned the trajectory of the game. The right-hander got India across the finish line in a successful chase for 339, the highest chase ever for India in a WC match.

Jemimah's innings now ranks among the five highest individual scores by Indian batters in World Cup knockout matches, for both men and women.

5 Sourav Ganguly – 111 (vs Kenya, Durban, 2003 World Cup semifinal)*

Sourav Ganguly was the captain of the Indian batting attack in the 2003 semifinal against Kenya. Coming in to bat at No. 3, Ganguly scored a magnificent 111 not out off 114 balls which included five fours and five sixes, leading India to a total of 270/4. He formed a valuable second-wicket partnership of 103 along with Sachin Tendulkar (83). India ultimately went on to win the match by 91 runs, which propelled them into the final.

4 Virat Kohli – 117 (vs New Zealand, Mumbai, 2023 World Cup semifinal)

Ninety-seven years after Ganguly's innings in the last match, Kohli's 117 at Wankhede Stadium was once again a study in control and timing. It was his 50th ODI century and he did it in front of his hero, Sachin Tendulkar, in a total of 397/4. He hit nine fours and two sixes before falling to Tim Southee. Kohli's innings saw India through to the finals and was another memorable moment in Kohli's remarkable career.

3 Jemimah Rodrigues – 127 (vs Australia, Navi Mumbai, 2025 World Cup semifinal)*

In what was her first-ever World Cup knockout match, Jemimah Rodrigues produced an innings to remember. Her unbeaten 127 off 134 balls, laced with 14 boundaries, came in a high-pressure chase against a world-class Australian attack. Teaming up with Harmanpreet, Jemimah carried India over the line with poise and determination, adding finishing touches with Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, and Amanjot Kaur. It was an innings that symbolized maturity beyond her years.

ALSO SEE: List of the highest run chases in Women ODI history

2 Rohit Sharma – 137 (vs Bangladesh, Melbourne, 2015 World Cup quarterfinal)

Rohit Sharma continued his love affair with ICC events during the 2015 quarterfinal against Bangladesh. Opening the innings, he scored a sparkling 137 off 126 deliveries with 14 fours and three sixes. His partnerships with Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina powered India to 302/6, setting up a 109-run victory. It was a statement knock in a pressure game.

1 Harmanpreet Kaur – 171 (vs Australia, Derby, 2017 World Cup semifinal)*

The top spot belongs to Harmanpreet Kaur’s unbelievable 171* in the 2017 semifinal at Derby, one of the greatest knocks ever in women’s cricket. Her innings, packed with 20 fours and 7 sixes, powered India to 281/4 in just 42 overs. The sheer dominance of her strokeplay left Australia shell-shocked, and India won by 36 runs to reach the final.

India’s Top 5 World Cup Knockout Scores

From Harmanpreet's spectacular performance on a hot day at Derby to Jemimah's brilliant innings in Navi Mumbai, these innings represent India's glorious cricketing history of producing world-class performers on the global stage. Each knock came with great pressure - and each became an eternal chapter in Indian cricket.

The former Indian head coach, Rahul Dravid, has praised their former Indian captain, Rohit Sharma, for bringing aggression and evolution in the shortest format. He reckoned that the Blue Brigade changed after the defeat against England in the T20 World Cup 2022 at the Adelaide Oval. 

Two years later, under his leadership, India lifted the title by beating South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. During the recent interaction on Breakfast with Champions, Dravid reflected on their change of approach with the bat.

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“India is absolutely changing what T20 cricket is like. Indian batting in T20 cricket at the moment is off the charts. It’s close to 300 (runs per game), and everyone else in the world is now having to catch up. In the space of three or four years, you’re seeing that everyone’s looking at India and saying, ‘Shucks, man, we’ve got to match this.” Dravid expressed.

Watch: Rahul Dravid reflects on India’s evolution in T20I cricket thanks to Rohit Sharma

While saying that he only owned a part of the credit for the change, Dravid again highlighted the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, who later retired from the shortest format, along with Virat Kohli. The Nagpur-born has recently been taken out of the ODI captaincy.

Rahul Dravid: “There were lots of discussions with and around Rohit Sharma about playing a more aggressive brand of cricket. Rohit deserves a lot of credit for leading the team in that direction with such an attacking mindset.”

- This is what a secure coach looks like 🤍!! pic.twitter.com/E8uQn1YO11

— 𝐉𝐨𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐞 (@jod_insane) October 30, 2025

“Certainly, from the time I came in, a lot of the discussion with Rohit was around how we wanted to play a more aggressive brand of cricket, and we tried (to do just that). We started right from the beginning because we could see that that’s the way the game was evolving, and Rohit’s got to take a large credit for that, right? To move the team in a particular direction.” The former Indian batter addressed. 

“It has to be driven by the leaders, right? It has to be driven by the captain. It has to be driven by the players because they’ve got to do it, right? They’ve got to take the risks. You might be giving them a certain amount of security, but in the end, they are the ones who’ve got to take those chances, take those risks.” Dravid concluded. 

The former Indian captain, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, has requested the BCCI selection committee to show full support to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the veterans, confidently, and stop doubting their future in ODI cricket. His remarks came after they experienced success with the ball decently during the three-match 50-over series against Australia down under.

Since the end of the IPL 2025, Rohit and Virat have not played any competitive cricket, and they were under pressure to deliver with the bat. The opening batter smashed a fine fifty during the second game at the Adelaide Oval and a century in the third clash in Sydney, while Kohli nailed an unbeaten 74 runs in Sydney after two ducks.

See Also: Temba Bavuma returns as South Africa name 15-member Test squad against India

“Ro-Ko set for 2027. Rohit, in my opinion, has to surely play the 2027 World Cup. Don't bring the age factor. Don't say 'he is touching 40, brushing 40, reaching 40'. Stop all these. He is fit, he is playing well, taking slip catches cleanly. What else do you want? He is scoring in every match. He played effortlessly in Sydney. It felt similar to the way he played in the 2019 World Cup. Yes, he didn't go to the sixth, seventh gear.” Srikkanth expressed on his YouTube channel.

Kris Srikkanth urges this to BCCI on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s future

Rohit and Kohli‘s next assignment will now come during the home three-match ODI series against South Africa by the end of November. After that, they will face New Zealand for three 50-over clashes at home.

“Don't spook them. Don't instill fear. Leave them alone. I think you have to tell them that they are important to the team. Tell them to look after themselves. 'We will form the team around you. You two are very important. Please make sure you are fit enough. I think this should be the thought process and communication. If they do it this way, it will be good for Team India and the two players.” Srikkanth added.

“If I were the chairman of the selection committee, today itself I will go to them and say, 'Just be fit for the 2027 World Cup and win us the trophy.” The former BCCI chief selectors concluded.