NEW DELHI: As Rohit Sharma walked out to bat in the first ODI against Australia in Perth on Sunday, it marked a landmark moment for the former India captain - his 500th appearance in international cricket.

With this, he became the fifth Indian and the 11th player in the world to reach the 500-match mark in international cricket.

Among Indians, only Sachin Tendulkar (664 matches), Virat Kohli (551*), MS Dhoni (535), and Rahul Dravid (504) have played 500 or more international matches before him. Had Rohit not retired from Tests and T20Is, he would have reached the milestone much earlier.

Rohit's glittering career has left an indelible mark across all three formats of the game. The veteran opener has featured in 274 ODIs, 67 Tests, and 159 T20Is - the latter being the most by any Indian, underlining his enduring influence in the shortest format.

Australia has been one of Rohit's most successful hunting grounds. In 19 matches across formats, he has amassed 990 runs at an impressive average of 58.23, including four centuries and two half-centuries. Should he cross the 1,000-run milestone during this series, he will become the first Indian batter to achieve that feat on Australian soil.

Rohit's legacy extends well beyond personal milestones. As captain, he guided India to the 2024 T20 World Cup title before stepping away from the format, and later led the team to glory at the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

Earlier this year, he also called time on his Test career, bringing to a close a distinguished era defined by consistency, class, and leadership.