Kris Srikkanth Calls Rohit Sharma One of the Best Openers in ODIs

India opener Rohit Sharma is considered as one of the best openers in the limited-overs format in recent times. However, his career took a huge turn when former India captain MS Dhoni asked him to open for India in the 2013 Champions Trophy. Since then, he didn’t have to look back as he became a swashbuckling opener for India. And former India chief selector Kris Srikkanth believes that he is one of the best in the business.

While speaking on Star Sports show Cricket Connected, Srikkanth praised Rohit Sharma, "I think I would rate him as one of the greatest all-time one-day openers in world cricket. What's the greatest quality Rohit Sharma is that he goes for these big hundreds and double hundreds, that is something amazing.

"In a one-day cricket match, you will go 150, 180, 200, just imagine where you are going to take the team to, that's the greatness about Rohit Sharma. He is definitely, probably is in the top 3 or 5 all-time greatest openers as far as one-day cricket is concerned."

Recently, former India speedster Irfan Pathan also said that Rohit is way more talented and shared how the talented youngster used to work hard in his early days even if it doesn’t express from his body language. He also compared him to domestic cricket legend Wasim Jaffer and said they both are kind of same as they look relaxed always, take time to settle down and it looks as if they have a lot of time.

Pathan again said that from outside many used to think he might need to work hard but whenever the former used to speak to him he always talk about the team first and that is why his Indian Premier League franchise Mumbai Indians is the best team in the cash-rich league. Under Rohit’s leadership, Mumbai has won the title four times since its inaugural season.

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Aakash Chopra Names MS Dhoni His Captain of All-time IPL XI Team

Indian Premier League has gained immense popularity ever since it first played 13 years ago. It not only gave quality Indian players but foreign players also. Former India opener Aakash Chopra, who had been a part of the league himself, named an all-time IPL XI.

He chose his openers in the form of David Warner and Rohit Sharma. Both of them are considered as formidable players for their respective countries and has stunning records at the top of the order as well. And, it’s not at all a surprise that they have been chosen for the opening slot. For the next slots, Chopra named India captain Virat Kohli and experienced Suresh Raina.

While Virat Kohli has amassed six tons in the tournament, Suresh Raina is considered as one of the most destructive batsmen in the history of the cash-rich league. Former South Africa player AB de Villiers who is known for his swashbuckling batting, placed after the Indian duo of Aakash Chopra. However, former captain MS Dhoni named the skipper and keeper of this team.

However, the former India opener has named a few renowned pace bowlers including Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga who are the top bowlers in the tournament. For spin department, his choice is veteran India spinner Harbhajan Singh and West Indies spinner Sunil Naraine. While Singh was a key player for Mumbai Indian and later started playing for Chennai Super Kings under the leadership of MS Dhoni, Narine is one of the vital cogs in the Kolkata Knight Riders’ camp.

Surprisingly, the flamboyant West Indies opener Chris Gayle, who is known for his explosive batting and has great record best in the tournament didn't make it to the all-time IPL XI team.

Aakash Chopra’s all-time IPL XI: David Warner, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, AB de Villiers, MS Dhoni (C & WK), Harbhajan Singh, Sunil Narine, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah.

12th and 13th Man – Gautam Gambhir, Andre Russell