Rohit Sharma made his international debut in 2007. But, the stylish batsman from Mumbai that we know today has much more to offer than he had between 2007 and early 2013. The first few years of Sharma’s international career was a bit difficult. He would score runs not as often as now and definitely not as big as now.

His average was a moderate 30 in ODIs, which has now gone up to 49 and beyond. However, in 2013, the Mumbai batsman started opening the innings and his batting changed. Karim Sadiq, the Afghanistan cricketer believes it was something else that resulted in a change in the Indian batsman.

If there’s a batsman who can smash 20-25 sixes in an inning, that is Rohit Sharma: Karim Sadiq

During an Instagram live session with CricTracker’s host Adarsh Raman, Sadiq recalled a show which he had watched. In that show, Sachin Tendulkar was asked who can break his record of 100 centuries. During that show, the former Indian batsman had taken names of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Sadiq said that he became a fan of Rohit’s batting after this statement and there was a change in the Indian batsman’s batting attitude as well.

“I watched a show where Sachin Tendulkar was asked a question on which current batsmen can break his 100 centuries record. Sachin then picked Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Before this statement, I never used to like Rohit Sharma’s batting. But, after this statement, Rohit got to know about his capability and there was a change in his batting since then. Now, he can easily smack even a 150+ kph bowler. If there’s a batsman who can smash 20-25 sixes in an inning, that is Rohit Sharma in the current scenario,” Sadiq said during the Instagram live with CricTracker.

Rohit Sharma’s career has indeed changed completely after 2013. It was that year when he started opening the innings, won an IPL and Champion League T20 as a captain for the first time, scored his first double century in ODIs and also scored two centuries in his first two Tests.

Sadiq has watched Rohit’s growth over the years. The 36-year-old Afghan player had played his last international match back in 2018. He has played 24 ODIs and 36 T20Is. He is a solid batsman with capabilities with the ball and also gloves behind the stumps.