“He never desired to become No. 1” - Former batter’s heartfelt tribute as Rohit Sharma becomes top-ranked ODI batter after AUS vs IND 2025 series

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif paid a heartfelt tribute as veteran opener Rohit Sharma became the No. 1 ranked ODI batter. The 38-year-old was last seen in action during the three-match ODI series against Australia, which concluded on October 25.

Although India went down 2-1, Rohit was named Player of the Series for scoring 202 runs in three innings at an average of 101.00 and a strike rate of 85.59, including one fifty and one century. His stellar form helped him climb to the top of the ICC ODI batting rankings with 781 points, marking the first time he has achieved the milestone in his illustrious career.

Reacting to the achievement, Kaif shared a video on his YouTube channel on Saturday, November 1, where he praised Rohit’s selfless mindset and focus on contributing to the team rather than chasing personal records. He said:

“The No. 1 ODI ranking has walked up to Rohit Sharma’s doorstep. He never desired to become the No. 1 batter in the world. He never made any statement about wanting that. His statements were always about one thing: that the team should win, that India should win, and that India should finish on top. That was his true aspiration when he was captain.”

“He always said that impactful, match-winning knocks, no matter who plays them, make that player a hero for him, for the team, and for India. That was his consistent message. When Rohit became India’s ODI captain, the team was ranked No. 4 in the world. By the time he stepped down, India had become the No. 1 ODI side. Similarly, when he took charge of the T20I team, India was ranked No. 2, and when he left, they were No. 1,” he added.

Kaif continued:

“He always prioritized India, thinking about how the team could move forward and how it could win. That was his dream, and he fulfilled it. That’s why people admire him so much and regard him as a great captain.”

The veteran opener has now represented India in 276 ODIs, scoring 11,370 runs at an average of 49.22 and a strike rate of 92.66, including 59 half-centuries and 33 centuries.

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“His only wish was for the team to rise and become No. 1” - Mohammad Kaif heaps huge praise on Rohit Sharma

In the same video, Mohammad Kaif asserted that Rohit Sharma’s only goal as captain was to make India the No. 1 team. He further highlighted how, after the heartbreak of the 2023 ODI World Cup, India went on to clinch the 2024 T20 World Cup, with Rohit playing a major role in the triumph. Kaif remarked:

“Even today, if you tell Rohit Sharma, “Congratulations, you’ve become the No. 1 ODI batter,” he would probably just shrug it off and say, “Come on, man, move on. It’s fine.” It was never his personal ambition. His only wish was for the team to rise and become No. 1, and he made that happen.”

“After India lost the 2023 World Cup final to Australia, they faced them again in 2024. You might remember that over from Mitchell Starc when Rohit smashed him for 29 runs in one over, including four boundaries, completely turning the game around. India went on to win that match, Rohit was named Player of the Match, and India went on to win the World Cup,” he added.

Kaif concluded:

“That’s the kind of player Rohit Sharma is. Yes, he is ranked No. 1 now, but his foremost duty, his true mission, was to take India to the top and make them the No. 1 team in the world. And in that mission, Rohit Sharma succeeded.”

Rohit Sharma is expected to return to action later this month when India host South Africa for a three-match ODI series, starting November 30 in Ranchi.