'Kal pura kar lo Hitman' - Fans react as Rohit Sharma eyes major milestone in ODI format as India set to open Asia Cup 2023 campaign against Pakistan

Team India are all set to begin its 2023 Asia Cup campaign with a blockbuster clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in Kandy on Saturday, September 2. The 50-over tournament holds high importance for all five Asian teams as it will be a major preparation before the upcoming ODI World Cup. Indian captain Rohit Sharma will be keen to get his team off to a fine start against the Men in Green and go on to lift the title for the second time as captain.

Given his success with Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL), everyone had high hopes when Rohit took the role of India's full-time captain. However, the 36-year-old has failed to replicate his domestic success at the international level and is now eager to make a strong outing in the 2023 Asia Cup. Now keeping Rohit Sharma's captaincy aside and focusing on Rohit Sharma the player, the veteran opener has a major individual milestone on the horizon that deserves huge praise.

Can Rohit achieve the milestone against Pakistan?

The right-handed batter is just 163 runs away from completing 10000 runs in ODI format. Currently, he has 9.837 runs in 244 matches at an average of 48.69, with 30 centuries and 48 fifties. With India's potential to play six Asia Cup matches (including the final), Rohit has plenty of time to reach the milestone in this tournament itself. However, given his ability to smash daddy centuries in ODIs, it wouldn't be surprising if he reaches the landmark in India's Asia Cup 2023 opener against Pakistan.

Rohit is set to become the sixth Indian and 15th player overall to enter the 10,000-run club. Sachin Tendulkar (18,426), Virat Kohli (12,898), Sourav Ganguly (11,363), Rahul Dravid (10,889) and MS Dhoni (10,773) are the Indian players who have already achieved this feat. In fact, Kohli is the only active player with more ODI runs than the India skipper.

Meanwhile, Kohli is also close to a massive milestone which he can easily break in the upcoming matches. The former Indian captain is just 102 runs away from completing 13000 runs.

Here's how fans reacted: 

Rohit will complete 10,000 runs in ODIs with just one such inning. pic.twitter.com/dHlxZOwQv3

— The CrickFun (@TheCrickFun) September 1, 2023

It will happen tomorrow itself 🙌 pic.twitter.com/2vyxB9jh2g

— Amrit Chandravanshi (@Ek_Indian07) September 1, 2023

This year Rohit Sharma and Virat kohli will break many records in ODI cricket..

— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) September 1, 2023

It will be a biggest achievement. Scoring 10000 runs in ODI or even in Tests shows a benchmark for any player. When we look at the list of previous batsmen with 10k runs, you will find best players there.

— CHARLIE (@CharlieGulshan) September 1, 2023

Let’s go captain, best wishes for the #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/f2XGsRnQVM

— Sammy Alex M. (@alexcrypto22) September 1, 2023

The most destructive odi player the game has ever witnessed. #RohitSharma𓃵

— Mk (@kameshmagesh11) September 1, 2023

Kal pura kar lo Rohit Bhai🙃😌

— Manu Tripathi बीजेपी 🚩🚩 (@Manutiwary4BJP) September 1, 2023

HitMan is coming to conquer the #AsiaCup2023 🔥🔥🔥

— Gyani Khopdi (@gyaniKhopdi) September 1, 2023

Scoring this much tomorrow onli 😘

— H A L F - E N G I N E E R //Gulambi Stan// (@sparky_chora) September 1, 2023

Paxtaniyo ki gaan phad do kal Rohit bhai. 163+ score kar do

— A📖🕉️ (@inevitable__31) September 1, 2023