Rohit Sharma has been in the Indian for a very long time. The Mumbaikar was touted as the ‘Next Big Thing’ in Indian cricket. He made his ODI debut all the way back in 2007 and was in and out of the team due to an inconsistent batting display. However, something clicked when MS Dhoni sent him out as an opener instead of his regular middle-order position.
Rohit Sharma quickly became the newest sensation in Indian cricket. To date, he has broken and created numerous records in all formats of the game. In this piece, we will look at the top five bowlers against whom he scored the most number of runs and were favorable to him as a batsman. Without further ado, let’s dive in.
#5. Nuwan Kulasekara
Nuwan Kulasekara, the former Sri Lanka fast bowler, is widely regarded as one of the best swing bowlers in the world. He was also ranked number one in the ODI Bowling Rankings in 2009. Rohit Sharma has scored a total of 139 runs against the right-hander.
Most of these runs were scored in the 2015 ODI series in India, where the visitors received a 5-0 drubbing. Kulasekara was a common presence in the Sri Lankan team alongside fellow pacer Malinga for a long time. He retired from active competition in 2019 after the country’s cricket board didn’t respond to his request of playing a farewell match alongside Lasith Malinga.
#4. Pat Cummins
The 27-year old Australian is one of the best modern fast-bowlers in the world. This really speaks volumes of Rohit’s talents, as he has scored runs against quality opposition. Rohit has scored 160 runs against the talented bowler from New South Wales. However, Cummins has also gotten some retribution, getting Rohit out very cheaply a couple of times. These two will crossroads again, as both of them seem to have many years of cricket left in them. It will be exciting to watch this battle.
#3. Lasith Malinga
‘Slinga Malinga’, as he is known for his unorthodox bowling style, is regarded as one of the best T20 bowlers of all time. He made the dipping slower ball yorkers his specialty and achieved great success. Rohit Sharma has scored 169 runs against the pacer. Malinga somehow became a bit easier to survive against in his latter days, with Kohli once stating that he had fun scoring runs against Lasith Malinga. Sharma and Malinga represent the Mumbai Indians franchise in the IPL, and the teammates share great chemistry on and off the field.
#2. Kemar Roach
This West Indies player is one of the fastest bowlers in the world. The diminutive pacer has reached the 150 kmph mark many times in his career. He made his name on the international scene after multiple great showings. He was later awarded a full-time contract in 20018-20019. Roach also became the first West Indies bowler to take 10 wickets in a Test since 2005 in 2012. Sharma and Roach haven’t crossed paths many times, but Rohit has scored 183 runs against the Barbadian.
#1. James Faulkner
James Faulkner is a man who can do it all. He is a fast-bowler, a middle-order batsman, a death over specialist, a finisher, and has now turned to leg-spin. This player was the Man of the Match in the 2015 World Cup final. He plays for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, and for Tasmania in the domestic circuit. Rohit Sharma has scored 219 runs against this remarkable bowler. Faulkner’s role in the national team has reduced in recent years, but a comeback can never be ruled out.
