Cricket News: Alyssa Healy wants to copy Rohit Sharma's template for multi-format success
Alyssa Healy is looking towards Rohit for a formula to find cross-format success opening the batting as she prepares for the multi-format series against India
India's limited-overs vice-captain Rohit Sharma is a force to reckon with in white-ball cricket. Often hailed extremely high for his skill and talent, Rohit's pyrotechnics in limited-overs format are well-documented in annals of cricket. Australia batswoman Alyssa Healy is now aiming to replicate Rohit's template to find all-format success. While opening the batting as she prepares for the multi-format series against India that will include a pink-ball Test.
Recently, the 34-year-old Rohit impressed cricket experts and fans with his solid display on India's tour of England. Rohit not only established himself into an equally irresistible force in Test cricket. But also found a way to score big in the longer format. Australia will be locking horns against India in a multi-format series, comprising three ODIs, one-off day-night Test and three T20Is. The first ODI will be played on September 21.
"It's a tricky one because I've only played four Tests so I wouldn't say I'm overly comfortable with how to play or how to approach a Test. From my point of view, I don't think it's going to change too much from my one-day international batting. I think the ability to give yourself more time is such a blessing,"
Alyssa Healy said at a Fox Cricket launch event for the series, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
"I look at the modern Test game and see how it's changed quite a lot. I watch a lot of the men's cricket and I look at someone like Rohit Sharma who is one of the most devastating white-ball batters in the world and yet he's a really successful opener in Test cricket. So for me, I said look at somebody like him and think about how he translates those skills across all the formats, could I potentially replicate that somehow,"
Talking about the upcoming series against India, Healy said: "Sometimes a bit of the unknown and the unpredictable nature of India makes them incredibly dangerous. They've picked a few new players that we haven't seen before on this tour." "So they always love throwing something new at us, even if it is Poonam Yadav, she always has something new to throw at us, just to kick us off track again," she added.
On tour of England, Rohit amassed 368 runs at an impressive average of over 52 and was only behind Joe Root in the list of highest run-getters in the series.
Australia will play an intra-squad game on Thursday. And then, the series against India will commence on September 21.
16 Indian Cricketers with stands named after them at a stadium
Discover 16 Indian Cricketers with stands named after them at a stadium, including legends like Tendulkar, Kohli, Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and the iconic Jhulan Goswami.
Some legendary Indian cricketers left their impact beyond the scorecards and records, which earned them an everlasting tribute. Their legacies live on the stadiums where they created their cricketing magic.
Curious to know the ones who had their contributions honored with their names on a stadium stand or pavilion? Scroll down to discover the 16 Indian Cricketers with stands named after them at a stadium.
1. Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar Stand at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE. Image | NDTV
The God of Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar, has 2 stands named after him. He was also honoured with a gate named after him at the Sydney Cricket Ground, unveiled on his 50th birthday.
MS Dhoni Pavilion at the JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi. Image | Instagram
Honoring the hometown hero, MS Dhoni Pavilion was named as a tribute to his legendary captaincy and achievements.
MS Dhoni Pavilion: JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi
4. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma stand at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Image | Instagram
Acknowledging Rohit Sharma's elegant batting and leadership for India, the stand named after him at the Wankhede is a recent addition, inaugurated in 2025.
Rohit Sharma Stand: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
5. Sourav Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly stand at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Image | Instagram
Sourav Ganguly stand, unveiled in 2017, is a tribute to dada, not only for his influential captaincy, but also for his contributions as the former president of CAB and BCCI.
Sunil Gavaskar Pavilion at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Image | Alamy
The pavilion named after Sunil Gavaskar stands as a lasting tribute for the cricketing legend.
Sunil Gavaskar Pavilion: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
7. Yuvraj Singh
The inaugural of stands named after Yuvraj Singh, along with teammate Harbhajan Singh at the PCA Stadium, Punjab. Image | Instagram
The world cup hero and local boy of Punjab, Yuvraj Singh, was honored with a joint ceremony where two stands were named after him and his teammate, Harbhajan Singh.
VVS Laxman Pavilion at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. Image | Facebook
Known for his elegant batting style, VVS Laxman was given the tribute with a pavilion named after him at his hometown (Hyderabad).
VVS Laxman Pavilion: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
10. Mohammad Azharuddin
Mohammad Azharuddin posing in front of his stand at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. Image | Crossbill
The former captain of Indian team, Mohammad Azharuddin, was honored with a stand at his beloved ground in his homecity, Hyderabad.
Mohammad Azharuddin Stand: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
11. Jhulan Goswami
Jhulan Goswami posing in front of the stand named after her at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Image | Twitter
In 2023, Eden Gardens celebrated and honored the legendary pride of Bengal, Jhulan Goswami. Her name stands as the only woman on this list to achieve this milestone.
Gautam Gambhir Stand at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. Image | TOI
From crucial role in World Cup victories for India, to his role as the head coach, Gautam Gambhir truly deserves the stand named after him in his home ground.
Gautam Gambhir Stand: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
13. Dilip Vengsarkar
Dilip Vengsarkar Stand at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Wankhede holds the name of many spectacular players and Dilip Vengsarkar is one of them. It celebrates he golden moments in cricket.
Dilip Vengsarkar Stand: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
14. Vijay Merchant
Vijay Merchant Stand at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Image | Instagram
Yet another elegant player to have a stand named after them at the Wankhede. Vijay Merchant's quality contributions are highly appreciated.
Vijay Merchant Stand: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
15. Ajit Wadekar
Ajit Wadekar Stand alongside Sharad Pawar Stand at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
The former Indian captain and influential figure, Ajit Wadekar, holds a prestigious stand named after him, alongside Sharad Pawar.
Ajit Wadekar Stand: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
16. Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag Gate at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi.
While we discuss stands or pavilions, it is worth noting that the gate no. 2 at Arun Jaitley Stadium was named after the legendary cricketer, Virender Sehwag, as a tribute.
After the Champions Trophy 2025, India's target in ODI cricket will be the ODI World Cup 2027. In such a situation, know what is Team India's ODI schedule till the World Cup 2027. The Men in Blue have to play a total of 9 series in the next ICC ODI tournament, which includes 27 matches.
Apart from this, some more ODI matches can be scheduled near the tournament. So, know what is the ODI schedule of Indian Cricket Team till 2027 and when India will face which team.
The ODI World Cup2027 will be held around October to December. Before this, the Indian team is going to play a lot of matches. India have to play 3-match ODI series against 8 teams. They will play series twice against one country.
India will play New Zealand twice
India will play Australia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, West Indies and Sri Lanka once each in the upcoming ODI series, while it will play New Zealand twice. Out of the nine series, India will play six series at home, while the rest will be held outside the country.
It will start with the tour of Bangladesh in August, which will be played this year. In October-November 2025, India has to play a three-match ODI series on its tour of Australia. South Africa's team will tour India in November-December.
India will host Sri Lankan team in December 2026
In January 2026, the New Zealand team will play an ODI series in India. After this, India has to play a three-match series against Afghanistan in June. In July 2026, Team India will have to play the same number of ODI series on its tour of England.
The West Indies team is scheduled to tour India in September-October. There will be an ODI series against New Zealand at home in October-November. India will host the Sri Lankan team for an ODI series in December 2026.
Rohit Sharma stats in Tests: Is Rohit the greatest test opener since Virender Sehwag?
Rohit played for India in this format from number one to number six. However, he was very successful as an opener in Test cricket. Let's take a look at Rohit Sharma stats in Tests as an opener.
Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Test cricket on Wednesday. 38-year-old Rohit had already retired from T20I cricket. For now, he will continue to play for India in the ODI format and he is also the captain of Team India in this format. After this announcement by Rohit, his 11-year long Test cricket career also came to an end.
Rohit Sharma had a very good Test cricket career and he played for India in this format from number one to number six. However, he was very successful as an opener in Test cricket.
Let's take a look at Rohit Sharma stats in Tests as an opener.
Rohit scored most centuries as an opener
Rohit scored 4301 runs in 67 Test matches played in his career at an average of 40.57 with 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries, but he scored the most centuries as an opener.
Rohit was elevated to that role for the first time in October 2019, and since then, no other opener has scored as many tons. Overall, only four batters have scored more Test tons than Rohit in this period.
Rohit Sharma stats in Tests: Most sixes for India
Rohit has hit a total of 88 sixes in his Test cricket career and is second on the list of batsmen who have hit the most sixes for India in the longer format of cricket. If he had hit 3 more sixes in the Test, he would have become the batsman who has hit the most sixes in Tests for India. The record for hitting the most sixes in Tests for India is held by Virender Sehwag who hit a total of 90 sixes.
Sr
Player
6s
M
Inn
R
Ave
100s
50s
1
Virender Sehwag
90
92
178
8503
49.43
23
31
2
Rohit Sharma
88
59
116
4301
40.57
12
18
3
Mahendra Singh Dhoni
78
82
144
4876
38.09
6
33
4
Rishabh Pant
73
41
75
2948
42.11
6
15
5
Sachin Tendulkar
69
173
329
15921
53.78
51
68
6
Ravindra Jadeja
68
70
118
3370
34.74
4
22
7
Sourav Ganguly
57
101
188
7212
42.17
16
35
Rohit Sharma stats in Tests: Most centuries for India in won Test matches
Rohit Sharma is at number 5 in the list of batsmen who have scored the most centuries in Test matches won by India. He has scored a total of 12 centuries in Test matches won by India. Sachin Tendulkar is at the top of this list with 20 centuries.
As an opener in Test cricket, Rohit scored a total of 2697 runs in 66 innings for India. During this period, his average was 42.81 while in these 66 innings, he also scored 9 centuries and 8 half-centuries. His best score as an opener in Tests was 212 runs.
Rohit Sharma's sudden retirement from Test cricket brings the curtain down on a career that was a story of transformation. Let's look back and revisit Rohit Sharma's status in tests.
The sudden announcement of Rohit Sharma's tests retirement marks the end of an era for Indian cricket. His journey in this format has evolved the years, from being a middle-order batsman to a dominant captain to open for his nation.
This transformation defines his Test legacy that we have witnessed over the years. It is now time to look back at those times and numbers; check out Rohit Sharma stats in tests.
The Initial Chapter (2013-2018)
Rohit Sharma celebrating his century during test debut at Eden Gardens in 2013. Image | NDTV
In November 2013, during Sachin Tendulkar's farewell series, Rohit Sharma made his Test debut at Eden Gardens in Kolkata against the West Indies, scoring 177, the second highest score in an Indian debut behind Shikhar Dhawan (187).
He followed with 111 (not out) in the second test at his home ground, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. However, he couldn’t find constant form in the longest format and could only score only one Test hundred after that, before he was promoted as an opener in a series against South Africa in 2019.
Rohit Sharma lifting the trophy after India's win against Bangladesh in a test series in 2024. Image | Pinterest
The Test series against South Africa in 2019 turned out to be a memorable one for Rohit as he went on to score three hundreds in three matches, including his maiden double hundred in Tests. His promotion as an opening batter in this format, gradually started to show brilliant outcomes.
Rohit's highest score in Test cricket came against South Africa in October 2019 in Ranchi where he scored 212 (255) runs hitting 28 fours and six sixes. He also scored his first overseas test century against England in 2021, with a knock of 127 runs at the Oval.
His contributions in this format were at its peak when he was appointed as the captain of India in the Test format in February 2022. He succeeded the former captain, Virat Kohli, ahead of a series against Sri Lanka.
The Final Blow
Rohit Sharma's announcement of retirement from Test cricket on social media on 7th May, 2025. Image | Instagram
In his recent Test appearances, particularly during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia in late 2024 and early 2025, Rohit Sharma struggled to find his usual form. His performances in this crucial series, which also had impact on India's standing in the WTC cycle, saw a major dip in his batting average.
Across the matches, he recorded several low scores in contrast to his earlier success as a top-order batsman in the format. This raised concerns about his form leading into the ending stage of the WTC and ultimately preceded his retirement announcement.
Virat Kohli is known for having the safest hands and currently holds the record for the most catches in IPL history with 117 in 263 matches. Get ready to find out the other top fielders and their catching records.
"Catches win matches" is a well-known proverb that is crucial in terms of cricket. Having exceptional fielders who would get to any extent to grab match-winning catches is a blessing for teams.
IPL has witnessed some unbelievably good fielding efforts from players across the globe. Here's the ones that stood out for their consistency, having the most catches in IPL history.
Virat Kohli (117 catches)
Virat Kohli takes a stunning catch against KKR in IPL 2018. Image | Facebook
Virat Kohli is one of the fittest athletes in the world and is also considered as an expectional fielder for India. He always lits up the stadium with his energy and agility while fielding for his team.
Kohli has taken a total of 117 catches in 263 matches so far, which is the highest in IPL history. He is barely seen missing or letting the ball go off his hand.
His contributions in aspect of taking catches remains hard to beat, and hopefully there are more to come in the upcoming matches in IPL for RCB.
Suresh Raina dives to take a precious catch against Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2014. Image | ESPNcricinfo
Suresh Raina's contribution in IPL goes beyond his batting performance. He has taken 109 catches in 205 matches for Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Lions.
Raina ended his IPL journey in 2021 and still his second place in the list of most catches stays unbeaten. He is among the top Indian fielders who took some match-winning catches.
Ravindra Jadeja (108 catches)
Ravindra Jadeja taking a magnificent catch close to the boundary line against KKR in IPL 2021. Image | Facebook
Ravindra Jadeja is one name that everyone anticipates when it comes to the category of fielding and catching. His quick reflexes and fielding abilities made him one of the best fielders in the history of not only IPL, but also Indian cricket.
Jadeja has taken 108 catches in 251 matches for CSK, GL, KTK, and RR. He consistently worked towards taking important wickets for the team and saving boundaries when needed.
Jadeja also played a crucial role in CSK's success over the years.
Kieron Pollard (103 catches)
Kieron Pollard takes a one-handed catch to dismiss Shreyas Iyer in a match against Delhi in IPL 2019. Image | ESPNcricinfo
Kieron Pollardhas served as a fielding pillar for Mumbai Indians throughout his IPL career. He often changed the course of the game in favour of his team by taking difficult catches.
Pollard has taken 103 catches in 189 matches for MI, and some of them were too good to be true! His athleticism proved to be beneficial everytime he is on field, specially near the boundary.
Rohit Sharma takes a mid-air catch to dismiss Suresh Raina in IPL 2017. Image | ESPNcricinfo
Rohit Sharma is another Indian player having a catch count of more than hundred in IPL. He has taken 103 catches in 267 matches for MI and DCH. He has proved to be a dependable fielder for his team throughout.
Rohit's game awareness and experience played a crucial role in his fielding, which also aligned with the field setup and his captaincy. He is the 5th player to have 100+ catches in IPL history.