Rohit Sharma Reveals Origins Of His Nickname 'The Hitman'

Indian opening batsman Rohit Sharma is one of the cleanest hitters of the cricket ball. His promotion to the top-order back in 2013 had the runs flowing unstoppably from his bat. Even as the vice-captain of the limited-overs side, the 33-year old has done a commendable job, having guided them to Asia Cup and Nidahas Trophy in 2018. Meanwhile, in an Instagram live session with off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, he revealed how he got the nickname “Hitman”.

Also Read: Watch: Rohit Sharma Completes Yuvraj Singh’s Challenge In A Unique Way

With the current period of suspension of the sport, cricketers have resorted to social media to pass their time. During the pair’s candid chat, the Mumbai batsman spoke on a lot of things including his first captaincy stint with Mumbai Indians in 2013. Rohit Sharma went on to reveal how Ricky Ponting backed him to lead the side ahead of Dinesh Karthik.

Rohit Sharma’s famous nickname dates back to his first double-century in ODIs:

But one of the interesting conversations came upon when Ashwin asked the origin of the nickname “Hitman”. At first, the off-spinner hilariously questioned whether he was a fan of WWE wrestler “Bret the Hitman Hart”.

It was back in the same year that he started opening in ODIs and the Indian cricket reaped the rewards. The run-fest seven-match ODI series had reached the decider at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Batting first, India blasted themselves to 383, headlined by the 33-year old’s 209 off 158 balls that included 12 fours and 16 sixes.

Hence, after his sensational knock as he headed for a flash interview, a broadcaster told him that Rohit played like a hitman. Rohit Sharma became not only the man of the match but also the player of the series for scoring 491 runs. The hosts won a close contest and the rubber by 3-2. In the end, Ravi Shastri also referred to him as the “Hitman”. He would go on to score two more double-hundreds in the format, including the best score of 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014.

“209 when I scored that runs and I was walking back to the pavilion and obviously they called me for that flash interview after the innings got over and I was really very tired. I told the media manager I can’t go now; please take someone else. He said ‘this is kind of a record, you have to come and it goes worldwide and I said okay I’ll come’. I went down and met PD, a broadcaster, who told me ‘Man, you played like a hitman’.

That’s how it started and then Ravi Bhai was there towards the end of the presentation and he introduced me like that ‘They call him a hitman’. I think I was the man of the series in that tournament so he was interviewing me and he called me “Hitman” and that’s how it started.” the right-handed batsman said.

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— N Murali Krishna (@YoYoNmk) May 19, 2020