Rohit Sharma to Join Elite 500-Match Club in Australia ODIs

As Rohit Sharma gears up for his 500th international, the Hitman stands on the brink of multiple records — from most ODI sixes to 50 international hundreds — joining cricket’s most exclusive company.

Rohit Sharma 500 International Games (Image Source: Google)

For the upcoming ODIs in Australia, Rohit Sharma returns to the Indian side, though not as captain. With the spotlight firmly on his batting, the Hitman stands on the verge of several major milestones. He needs just 8 more sixes to hold the record for the most sixes in ODIs (currently at 344), one more century to complete 50 international hundreds, and only 10 runs to become the first Indian batsman to score 1,000 ODI runs against Australia in Australia.

Rohit Sharma is also at the verge of joining an exclusive club of players who have played 500 international matches. Currently he has played in 499 international matches, equal to Inzamam-ul-Haq (Asia/ICC/Pakistan) who ended his career at 499 international matches.

On October 19th, when Team India plays the first ODI on the Australia tour, this will be Rohit Sharma's 500th international match (provided he is in the playing eleven). The magnitude of this record for any player can be gauged from the fact that despite three formats, only 10 players are in the club of 500 international matches and Rohit Sharma is most likely to join them. He shall be 5th Team India player to record the feat. Rohit Sharma has so far scored 19,700 runs with 49 hundreds.

Sachin Tendulkar is on top of the list with a total of 664 internationals, scored 34,357 runs and claimed 201 wickets and is the only player with 100 centuries. His 500th international match was against England in the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy at Jaipur, scored 35 runs and helped India to win.

Virat Kohli was the last member to join this ‘500’ club. He has so far played 550 internationals, scoring 27,599 runs. His 500th match was a Test against West Indies at Port of Spain in 2023 and scored 121 runs. He is the only member of this club to score a 100 in his 500th international match and the only Indian to play his 500th match as a Test.

In 2023 when Virat Kohli played his 500th match, the comparison between the batting feats of Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli was a hot topic. Tendulkar had recorded 24,874 runs @48.48 with 75 centuries and 114 half-centuries in his 500 international matches and at the same stage, surprisingly Kohli was little ahead with 25,582 runs @ 53.63 with 76 tons and 131 fifties. The hundred that Virat Kohli scored at Port of Spain was his 29th Test ton. Many believed that Virat Kohli could overtake Tendulkar, but Virat could play only 50 more internationals, whereas Tendulkar went on to play 164 more matches and moved much ahead.

MS Dhoni played a total of 538 international matches, with 17,266 runs, and recorded 634 catches and 195 stumpings. His 500th international was a T20, against England in Cardiff played on 6th July 2018 and scored 32*. India lost this match by five wickets.

Rahul Dravid in total scored 24,208 runs in 509 international matches. He played his 500th international match in September 2011, an ODI against England in Bristol, and scored just 2 runs.

Others who have played 500 international matches:

Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka/Asia): 652 international matches, scoring 25,957 runs and scored 11 runs in his 500th international match.

Kumar Sangakkara (Asia/ICC/Sri Lanka): Played 594 international matches, scoring 28,016 runs. He scored 48 runs in his 500th international match.

Sanath Jayasuriya (Asia/Sri Lanka): Played 586 international matches, scoring 21,032 runs and claimed 440 wickets. He scored 1 run in his 500th international match.

Ricky Ponting (Australia/ICC): He played 560 international matches, scoring 27,483 runs. He scored 44 runs in his 500th international match.

Shahid Afridi (Asia/ICC/Pakistan): A total of 524 international matches, with 11,196 runs (plus 541 wickets). His score in his 500th international match was 22.

Jacques Kallis (Africa/ICC/South Africa): 25,534 runs and 577 wickets in 519 international matches. His score in his 500th international match was 6.

Among all above, only Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli played all their internationals for one team (India in their case) and now Rohit Sharma will also join them as he has played all his 499 matches for India only.