IND vs PAK: Rohit Sharma becomes first Indian to play seven Asia Cup editions

Asia Cup 2022: Rohit also equaled Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardena for the most matches played in the tournament with his 28th appearance against Pakistan on Sunday.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma has featured in all Asia Cup editions since 2018. | Photo Credit: AGENCIES

India captain Rohit Sharma became the first Indian to feature in seven Asia Cup editions when he took the field against Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday.

Rohit, who made his Asia Cup debut in the 2008 edition in Pakistan, also equaled Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardena for the most matches played in the tournament with his 28th appearance. Among Indians, MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar have featured in six Asia Cup editions.

The 34-year-old has racked up 883 runs in 26 innings at an average of 42.04 from the previous six editions. Rohit’s solitary century in the tournament, an unbeaten 111, came against Pakistan in the 2018 edition in Dubai. Rohit had also led India to its seventh Asia Cup title in 2018, in the absence of then ODI skipper Virat Kohli.

The Asia Cup is being played in the T20I format for the second time since the 2016 edition where India beat Bangladesh in the final in Mirpur.