Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma have emerged as two explosive top-order batsmen for India in limited-overs cricket. While both players have been in and out of the Indian Test team, they have become constant factors for India in white-ball cricket. In this article, we will take a look at these players’ performances in ODIs and T20Is and try to compare them.
h3>ODI Stats
Aggregate Runsp>Since 2010, Dhawan has scored 5688 runs in 136 ODIs at an average of 45.14 with 17 centuries and 29 half-centuries, including the top score of 143. Since 2007, Sharmahas scored 9115 runs in 224 ODIs at 49.27 with 29 centuries and 43 half-centuries, including his top score of 264. (He is the only batsman to score three double centuries in ODIs.)
Home, Away and Neutral Venuesp>While Dhawan has averaged 43.23 in home matches and 39.29 in away games, he has accomplished his best average of 58.73 at neutral venues. Sharma has accomplished his best average of 63.00 in home matches but has a much lower average of 38.48 in away games. At neutral venues, Rohit has registered a batting average of 52.95. Dhawan has scored most of his centuries (8) at neutral venues alongside five in home matches and four in away games. Sharma has got most of his ODI centuries (11) in home matches while scoring 10 in away games and 8 at neutral venues.
Against Strong Sidesp>Dhawan has scored 1145 runs in 27 matches against Australia at 45.80 average, 357 in 12 matches against England at 32.45, 360 in 12 matches against New Zealand at 32.72, 380 in seven matches against Pakistan at 54.28 and 798 in 18 matches against South Africa at 49.87. Sharma has made 2208 runs in 40 matches against Australia at an average of 61.33, 454 in 13 matches against England at 50.44, 703 in 24 matches against New Zealand at 33.47, 720 in 16 matches against Pakistan at 51.42 and 766 in 25 matches against South Africa at 33.30 average.
Centuries against Strong Teams
>Dhawan has scored eight of his 17 centuries against strong teams, including four against Australia, one against Pakistan and three against South Africa. He has yet to score a century against England or New Zealand. Sharma has scored 16 of his 29 centuries against strong teams, including eight against Australia, two against England, one against New Zealand, two against Pakistan and three against South Africa.
Most Preferred Rival Side
>Considering a minimum number of 10 matches against a side, we can see which rival side these two players would most prefer to face in an ODI. Dhawan would most prefer to play against Sri Lanka, against whom he has had his best record in ODIs. Against Sri Lanka, Dhawan has scored 983 runs in 16 matches at 70.21, including four centuries and five fifties. Sharma would most prefer to play against Australia, against whom he has had his best record in ODIs. Against Australia, Sharma has made 2208 runs in 40 matches at 61.33, including eight centuries and eight fifties.
T20I Stats
4>Aggregate Runs
Since 2011, Dhawan has scored 1588 runs in 61 T20Is at an average of 28.35 with 10 half-centuries, including his top score of 92. Since 2007, Sharma has scored 2773 runs in 108 T20Is at 32.62 with four centuries and 21 half-centuries, including the top score of 118.
Home, Away and Neutral Venues
>While Dhawan has averaged 29.25 in home matches and 29.79 in away games, he has not done quite as well – with an average of 21.37 — at neutral venues. Sharma has had an average of 28.12 in home matches but a better average of 29.44 in away games. At neutral venues, Rohit has registered his best batting average of 46.88. Dhawan has scored most of his fifty-plus scores (four) at home venues alongside five made in away games and none at neutral venues. Sharma has got most of his T20I centuries (three) in home matches while scoring his only other one in an away game and none at neutral venues. He has also scored three fifties playing home but got most of his fifties (10) away with his remaining eight scored at neutral venues.
A
Against Strong Sides
strong>Dhawan has scored 226 runs in 11 matches against Australia at 29.55, 52 in 4 matches against England at 13.00, 152 in 7 matches against New Zealand at 21.71, 76 in 2 matches against Pakistan at 18.00, 233 in 7 matches against South Africa at 33.28 and 193 in 9 matches against the West Indies at 21.44. Sharma has made 318 runs in 19 matches against Australia at 22.71, 226 in 8 matches against England at 45.20, 338 in 13 matches against New Zealand at 30.72, 70 in 7 matches against Pakistan at 17.50, 519 in 15 matches against the West Indies at 43.25 and 362 in 13 matches against South Africa at 32.90.
Fi
Fifty-Plus Scores against Strong Teams
trong>Dhawan has scored one fifty each against four strong teams, including Australia, New Zealand, the West Indies and South Africa. He is yet to score a fifty-plus score against England, New Zealand or Pakistan. Sharma has scored one century each against England, South Africa and the West Indies. He also has three fifties against Australia, one against England, two against South Africa and four each against New Zealand and the West Indies.
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Most Preferred Rival Side
nsidering a minimum number of 10 matches against a side, we look at which rival side these two players would most prefer to face in a T20I. Dhawan would most prefer to face Australia, against whom he has had his best record in T20Is, with 266 runs in 11 matches played at 29.55, including one fifty and the highest score of 76. Sharma would most prefer to face the West Indies, against whom he has had his best record in ODIs with 519 runs from 15 games at 43.25 with one century and four fifties and the highest score of 111 not out.
