Rohit Sharma was born on April 30, 1987, in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Raised in a middle-class family, his cricketing journey began at a young age when he was spotted by Dinesh Lad at a summer camp. Recognizing his immense talent, Lad convinced Rohit's parents to let him pursue cricket seriously, even though it meant living away from his family in Mumbai.

Early Career & Domestic Cricket (2006-2013)

Rohit's domestic career flourished as he represented Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, where he quickly made a name for himself with his elegant stroke play and ability to score big runs. His performances in youth cricket, including the 2006 U-19 World Cup where he captained India to victory, marked him as a future star. He made his ODI debut for India in 2007 against Ireland, though it would take several years before he would establish himself as a permanent fixture in the national team.

Transformation as Opening Batsman (2013-2019)

The turning point in Rohit's career came in 2013 when he was promoted to open the batting in ODIs. This positional change unlocked his true potential, and he transformed into one of the most devastating opening batsmen in white-ball cricket. His ability to accelerate after getting set, combined with his elegant timing and wide array of shots, made him a nightmare for opposition bowlers.

During this period, Rohit achieved extraordinary feats including becoming the only batsman to score three double centuries in ODIs. His scores of 209, 264, and 208* not out showcased his ability to convert good starts into massive scores. He also holds the record for the highest individual score in ODI cricket - 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014. His partnership with Shikhar Dhawan at the top of the order became one of the most successful opening pairs in ODI history.

Captain & Test Success (2019-Present)

In 2019, Rohit was promoted to open in Test cricket as well, a move that proved to be masterstroke. He immediately made an impact, scoring his maiden Test century as an opener and three hundreds in his first series against South Africa. His Test career, which had been inconsistent when batting in the middle order, flourished in the opener's role.

Rohit's leadership qualities saw him appointed as India's T20I and ODI captain in 2021, taking over the reins from Virat Kohli. Under his captaincy, India has continued to dominate white-ball cricket. Beyond cricket, Rohit is known for his calm demeanor, love for animals (especially his dogs), and his nickname "Hitman" earned through his ability to hit massive sixes. He married Ritika Sajdeh in 2015, and they have a daughter together. His IPL journey with Mumbai Indians has been phenomenal, leading them to five championship titles, making him one of the most successful IPL captains in history.