You don't see him getting stuck in the 90s: Simon Doull believes Rohit Sharma is a better ODI opener than Sachin Tendulkar

Rohit Sharma’s career has notched up to a different level after being assigned the opener’s hat in 2013. Rohit has been phenomenal in the ODI format for India and has three double tons, most by any other cricketer in the 50-overs format. 264 against Sri Lanka in November 2014 is still the record for the highest individual score in One-day internationals.

Rohit’s impressive record speaks for his calibre in ODIs. In fact, the right-hander averages the most runs per innings after scoring a ton as compared to any other batsman in the 50-overs format. Over the years, Rohit has established himself as one of the modern-day greats.

The current Indian limited-overs’ vice-captain is now an indispensable part of the Indian team. 2019 was undoubtedly a memorable year for the right-hander where he delivered an exemplary performance in the World Cup by smashing five centuries in the marquee event.

‘Rohit Sharma’s numbers are phenomenal’: Simon Doull

Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull discussed the success of Rohit Sharma and opined that Rohit doesn’t get trapped when he reaches the 90s and that’s what makes him a great player.

Doull further opined that the right-hander is a better ODI opener that India’s batting stalwart Sachin Tendulkar. According to Doull, Rohit flaunts better numbers than Sachin and hence, the Mumbai Indians skipper will definitely be in his list of openers.

“His ability to increase his strike-rate past that, even it’s past 60, 70, 80… You don’t see Rohit Sharma getting stuck in the ’90s very often and labouring through the ’90s either. He is just a phenomenal player,” said Simon Doull in ICC’s ‘Cricket Inside Out’.

“Well, I personally have copped flak in India because I’ve said he’s the No.1, he’s the first opener picked in an all-time Indian side, hands down. I’m sorry, but you look at the stats, look at the numbers. He averages 49.A strike rate of 88. Sachin averages 44 with a strike-rate of 86, I think, across the careers.”

“So, numbers-wise, Rohit’s numbers are phenomenal, they are better than Sachin’s, that’s why to me he’s the first name on the list, and that’s only because you start at No.1, there’s Kohli on the list, Dhoni’s on the list as you get further down the order,” he added.