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In the grand tapestry of cricket, milestones etched by legends often serve as benchmarks for future stars. Ahead of the Asia Cup 2023 final against Sri Lanka, all eyes are on the dynamic Indian captain, Rohit Sharma, who stands on the cusp of a monumental achievement.
Rohit Sharma, celebrated for his explosive batting style and leadership acumen, has already dazzled fans with three half-centuries in the current Asia Cup. The 36-year-old achieved another feat by crossing the 10,000 ODI run mark during India's face-off with Sri Lanka in the second Super Fours match on September 12th in Colombo. But the stage is now set for an even more significant milestone: surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's historic record of most runs for India in Asia Cup ODIs.
The "Master Blaster" Sachin Tendulkar, revered as the top ODI run-getter for India, played a stellar role in 23 Asia Cup matches, amassing 971 runs. This impressive tally, bolstered by two centuries and seven half-centuries, not only established Tendulkar as a dominant force in the continental championship but also helped India clinch the Asia Cup title twice during the 1990s.
On the other hand, Rohit, gearing up for his 28th Asia Cup ODI appearance, has accumulated 939 runs in the 27 matches he has graced so far. His consistency in this premier event is evident from his ODI average of 46.95, adorned with one century and nine fifties. Rohit's most memorable Asia Cup innings remains his scintillating century against arch-rivals Pakistan in 2018.
The math is simple but the anticipation is palpable: Rohit requires just 33 runs to eclipse Tendulkar's record. Additionally, a score of 61 runs in the final would catapult him into an elite league, making him the first Indian – and only the third player globally, after Sri Lankan legends Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara – to breach the 1000-run mark in Asia Cup ODIs.
Most runs for India in Asia Cup (ODI)
| Players | Matches | Runs |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 23 | 971 |
| Rohit Sharma | 27 | 939 |
| Virat Kohli | 15 | 742 |
| MS Dhoni | 19 | 648 |
| Gautam Gambhir | 13 | 573 |
Yet, it's not just Rohit who's under the spotlight. Another batting maestro, Virat Kohli, has also been showcasing his prowess. With an unbeaten 122 against Pakistan on September 11th, Kohli stands as India's third-highest run-scorer in Asia Cup ODIs, having notched up 742 runs in just 15 matches. As Sunday's finale inches closer, cricket enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await to see if Kohli too can cement his legacy further in this continental championship, ensuring a memorable victory for Team India.
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