XtraTime Web Desk: Indian opener Rohit Sharma, who celebrates his 33rd birthday on Wednesday, is blessed with an impeccable technique. From being middle order batsman to a destructive opener in international cricket across formats, Rohit Sharma’s rise has been meteoric. His promotion to the opening slot in 2013 changed his fortunes. Since then the Hitman has played one jaw-dropping knock after another and guided India to many victories. The vice-captain of Indian ODI team is also the most successful captains in the history of Indian premier League (IPL) along with MS Dhoni. Rohit has led Mumbai Indians to three IPL titles so far. Let’s take a look at the incredible journey of Rohit Sharma’s in pictures:

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[caption id="attachment_88828" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Rohit Sharma was born in a poor middle-class family on April 30, 1987 in a place called Bansod in Nagpur, Maharashtra[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_88830" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Rohit’s mother tongue is Telegu as his mother Purnima is from Andhra Pradesh. He is also fluent in Marathi, Hindi and English[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_88831" align="aligncenter" width="600"] He was raised by his grandparents and uncles in Dombivilli as his father Gurunath Sharma, who worked as a caretaker of a transportation company storehouse could not afford his well being[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_88832" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Rohit has studied only up to class 12th because he got selected for International cricket[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_88833" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Rohit completed his primary education at Our Lady of Vailankanni High School. He was then admitted to Swami Vivekananda School on the request of his childhood coach Dinesh Lad as it offered better sports training facilities. He also studied in the Rizvi College, Mumbai[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_88836" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Once he was in 6th grade, he enrolled for a local academy all through his summer vacation, as an off-spin bowler not as a batsman as there were numerous batters[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_88825" align="aligncenter" width="600"] He started batting on no.8 and no.9, but confident in his talent, his coach Dinesh Lad asked him to open in his first inter-school match. Not the one to let down, he scored an unbeaten 120[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_88834" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Rohit has quite a few nicknames but the popular ones are Hitman, Shaana and Ro[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_88824" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Rohit is married to Ritika Sajdeh who also manages his endorsements. They have a cute little daughter Samaira[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_88823" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The favourite cuisine of the Indian ODI vice-captain is Japanese and Mexican food[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_88821" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Rohit is also the most successful captains of Indian Premier League (IPL) along with MS Dhoni. He led Mumbai Indians to three IPL titles[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_88820" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Rohit is a huge fan of La Liga giants Real Madrid. He is also the brand ambassador of La Liga in India[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_88815" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Rohit is the only batsman in the cricket history who has scored 3 double centuries in the one-day international matches[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_88814" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The highest individual score of 264 in the ODIs is scored by Rohit Sharma[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_88812" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Rohit has scored two consecutive test hundreds on debut. He scored 177 against West Indies at Eden Gardens on debut.[/caption]