Rohit Sharma targets Sourav Ganguly's record; Virat Kohli nears historic milestone in Sri Lanka ODIs

As the Indian National Cricket Team prepares for the white-ball series, veteran batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are approaching significant ODI milestones. Rohit Sharma is close to surpassing Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly in an elite list, while Virat Kohli is on the verge of achieving a major ODI milestone.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their T20I retirement after guiding the Men in Blue to triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024. Rohit and Virat will return for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. The duo will wear the blue jersey once again despite rumors of a break from the ODI series.

India's tour of Sri Lanka will start with a three-match T20I series, the first game scheduled for July 27 at Pallekele International Stadium. The ODI series will begin on August 2 at R. Premadasa Stadium, with all three ODIs played at the same venue.

Jasprit Bumrah, the Player of the Tournament at the 2024 T20 World Cup, has been rested for the Sri Lanka tour. Star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who retired from T20Is after the World Cup, is absent from the ODI squad.

Newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir wanted to include Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the ODI squad due to the limited number of upcoming matches. The Indian cricket team will play three ODI matches in Sri Lanka and another series against England before the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Eye Massive Milestones

Rohit Sharma has the opportunity to move ahead of former BCCI presdent Sourav Ganguly and become the third-highest run scorer for India in ODI cricket during the upcoming seires in Sri Lanka. Ganguly currently holds the third spot, behind Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar (18426) and Virat Kohli (13848).

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli is close to reaching 14,000 ODI runs. The right-handed batter needs just 152 more runs to achieve this milestone. If he reaches it, the former Indian skipper will become only the second Indian batter to do so, following Sachin Tendulkar, and the third overall after Kumar Sangakkara.

Never Tried To Compare Myself With Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni - Neeraj Chopra

Neeraj Chopra, the Indian javelin star, has acknowledged his growing fame but said that he does not compare his popularity with Indian cricketers like Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni. He emphasized that respecting his sport and being satisfied with his achievements are what matter most to him.

“If you respect your sport and feel satisfied with it, then nothing else should matter. At the Doha Diamond League, I was asked how popular I was in India. I never tried to compare myself with the likes of Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni because I’m very well aware of the reality of what I am in India,” Chopra told Sportstar.

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