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VISAKHAPATNAM: Rohit Sharma has added another glittering chapter to his storied career as he joined teammate Virat Kohli, as well as legendary Sachin Tendulkar, in an elite list of Indian batters.
During the third ODI against South Africa at the Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Sharma became the fourth Indian batter in history to cross 20,000 runs in international cricket.
He reached the landmark while nudging a length delivery from Keshav Maharaj into the leg side for a single in the 14th over. That run, his 27th of the innings, pushed him into an elite club alongside Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli and Rahul Dravid.
Rohit has now amassed 20,048 runs across formats in 538 innings, continuing a career defined by longevity, elegance, and big-match temperament.
Only Tendulkar (34,357), Kohli (27,910) and Dravid (24,208) have scored more for India at the international level.
Most international runs for India
Once the milestone was out of the way, Rohit shifted gears, crafting a fluent 75 off 73 balls, decorated with seven fours and three booming sixes, before Maharaj returned to remove him in the 26th over.
His innings laid the perfect platform for India in the series decider. From there, the hosts barely broke a sweat.
Yashasvi Jaiswal turned the chase into a one-man exhibition, smashing an unbeaten 116, while Virat Kohli chipped in with a controlled 65* as India cruised to a nine-wicket win with overs to spare.
South Africa, earlier put into bat, were lifted to 270 courtesy of a vintage Quinton de Kock hundred.
The left-hander hammered 106 off 89 balls, striking eight fours and six sixes in a typically authoritative knock.
Captain Temba Bavuma offered support with 48 off 67, but the visitors ultimately fell short as India’s bowlers tightened the screws in the final phase of the innings, bundling them out in 47.5 overs.
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