Rohit Not Among India’s Batting Legends? Manjrekar’s Bold Statement Sparks Debate
Former cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has triggered a heated discussion in the cricketing world after stating that Rohit Sharma does not feature among the all-time Indian batting greats.
Speaking on “The Great Indian Cricket Show” on Doordarshan, Manjrekar included Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Virat Kohli in his elite list of batting legends but said Rohit falls short of that category.
“Rohit Sharma does not fit in the all-time Indian batting great list because we’re talking about legends like Gavaskar, Tendulkar, Dravid, and Virat. Rohit does not quite make it there,” Manjrekar remarked.
“Selflessness Defines Rohit Sharma”
While questioning Rohit’s Test impact, Manjrekar praised the Indian skipper’s selflessness and captaincy, particularly in ODIs.
“But if you look at one-day cricket, selflessness, or captainship, then you have to mention Rohit Sharma. Especially after the 2023 World Cup, the love people have for him is on another level. People saw that he was never thinking about himself; he was willing to sacrifice his own interests for the team’s advantage. That’s his real speciality,” Manjrekar added.
He also hailed Rohit’s dominance in white-ball formats, recalling his effortless stroke play and his ability to nearly score 300 runs in an ODI innings. However, Manjrekar insisted that in the all-time batting greats debate, Test cricket carries more weight, and Rohit “did not make a big impact in that format.”
Rohit Sharma’s Glorious Career at a Glance
- ODIs: 11,168 runs in 273 matches, average 48.76, including three double centuries.
- T20Is: Highest run-scorer with 4,231 runs in 159 games; holds record for most T20I centuries (5).
- Tests: 4,301 runs in 67 matches at 40.57, with 12 centuries and 18 fifties.
- Captaincy Achievements: Led India to two Asia Cup titles, T20 World Cup 2024, and Champions Trophy 2025.
Rohit also captained India in 24 Tests, winning 12 and losing nine, leaving behind a respectable leadership record.
