Rohit Sharma, marked early as a future star, combined natural talent with the Mumbai batting tradition to make an impressive start in international cricket. He debuted in the Indian team at 20, shining in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2008 Australia series. However, his journey had setbacks, including a delayed Test debut due to injury and missing the 2011 World Cup squad. Despite initial struggles in Tests, he revived his career by becoming an opener in both formats. Named India’s all-format captain in 2022, he led the team to notable successes, including the 2023 World Cup final, the 2024 T20 World Cup win, and the 2025 Champions Trophy triumph. This book charts Rohit’s rise from humble beginnings to cricketing glory, highlighting his steady character throughout.
Author: R. Kaushik | Publisher: Rupa Publications | Genre: Sports | Pages: 219
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R. Kaushik’s The Rise of the Hitman: The Rohit Sharma Story is a deeply personal biography that brings to life the incredible journey of one of India’s most beloved cricketers. Published by Rupa Publications in May 2025, this 232-page hardcover stands out as a finely crafted tribute to Rohit Sharma—not just as an athlete, but as a human being shaped by challenges, dreams, and quiet determination. From the crowded lanes of Mumbai to the floodlit stadiums of the world, Rohit Sharma’s transformation into “The Hitman” is a tale of raw talent honed by perseverance. Kaushik traces this arc with the grace of a seasoned storyteller and the precision of a cricket analyst.
The book avoids the trap of being just a celebration of numbers. Instead, it gives readers a front-row seat into the emotional highs and lows behind Rohit’s centuries, captaincy, and career-defining moments—from record-breaking double hundreds to leading India with calm authority on the world stage. Kaushik writes with warmth and clarity, making the narrative approachable for both die-hard cricket fans and casual readers alike. Every chapter peels back a new layer of Rohit’s personality—his quiet confidence, his mental resilience, his understated leadership, and the often-overlooked personal sacrifices behind his success. The author does acute justice to the man behind the bat. He paints a well-rounded portrait of Rohit as a team player, a mentor, a devoted family man, and a national icon who carries the weight of expectations with surprising serenity. His journey is not portrayed as a linear rise to fame but as a path carved through grit, introspection, and steady self-belief.
“He was a natural. I didn’t have to teach him to play the pull. He had the talent, his basics were strong, he was technically very sound even from an early age, and that’s why he has been able to thrive in Test cricket too.“
– Dinesh Lad, Renowned Cricket Coach
Importantly, The Rise of the Hitman also captures the broader context of Indian cricket—the changing dynamics of the game, the media glare, and the pressures that come with stardom in a cricket-obsessed nation. The narrative acknowledges these elements without letting them overshadow the heart of the story: Rohit Sharma’s humanity. This biography stands as an essential addition to the bookshelf of any cricket lover. It’s not only a celebration of sporting excellence but also a meditation on what it means to rise quietly and command with presence, not noise. This book traces Rohit’s roller-coaster journey from his early days in Borivali to ultimate glory in Bridgetown—through the eyes of his contemporaries, his friends and his coaches, all unanimous in their view that Rohit has remained unchanged through the various ups and downs of a career most fulfilling.
Please note: I received an ARC from the publisher but the review remains unbiased.
