Rohit Sharma has completed 16,000 runs as an opener in international cricket. He achieved the feat in the IND vs AFG first ODI on June 13. He is the second India opener and the seventh overall to record 16,000 runs in the opening slot. Sri Lanka’s great Sanath Jayasuriya heads the list, with 19,298 runs coming from his bat. Virender Sehwag of India managed 16,119 runs in 400 international games.

Most Runs by openers in international cricket

19,298 – Sanath Jayasuriya (563)

18,867 – Chris Gayle (506)

18,744 – David Warner (462)

16,950 – Graeme Smith (421)

16,120 – Desmond Haynes (438)

16,119 – Virender Sehwag (400)

16,010* – Rohit Sharma (384)

Meanwhile, Rohit wasn’t at his best and was run out after amassing just 16 runs. The 39-year-old was hit on the wrist and was in a lot of pain. Earlier, Rohit (39 years and 44 days old) became the oldest player to represent India in an ODI, breaking the 37-year-old record of 1983 World Cup star Mohinder Amarnath. He was 39 years and 36 days old when he last played for India against the visiting West Indies side in Mumbai on October 30, 1989.

Rohit’s fitness has impacted his batting in recent times, with the legendary batter missing a few games for the Mumbai Indians after injuring his hamstring in the Indian Premier League 2026. He was cleared to play in the Afghanistan ODI series by the medical staff of the Indian Cricket Board.

In the second ODI on June 17 in Lucknow, Rohit will have a chance to go past Sehwag and become the Indian opener with the most runs in international cricket.