Bowlers Who Have Dismissed Rohit Sharma the Most Times in ODI Cricket: Angelo Mathews Leads the List, Tim Southee Second

Rohit Sharma's ability to turn an ordinary ODI innings into a major scoring exhibition has made him one of the most influential batters of the modern era. Yet his record against certain international bowlers reveals another dimension of his career. Several bowlers have repeatedly found ways to dismiss the Indian batter through swing, seam movement, bounce and changes of pace. Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews leads the reported list with seven ODI dismissals, while New Zealand's Tim Southee follows with six. South African fast bowlers Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada have dismissed Rohit five times each.

The figures make for an interesting statistical comparison, but they need to be interpreted carefully. The bowler who dismisses a batter most frequently is not automatically the most effective bowler against him. The number of matches played, deliveries faced, batting role, venue conditions and the stage of the innings all influence the final tally. Without those additional details, a dismissal ranking can easily become a misleading assessment of technical weaknesses.

Bowlers who have dismissed Rohit Sharma most often in ODIs

According to a Khel Now report published on November 8, 2026, Angelo Mathews occupies the top position with seven dismissals. Tim Southee is second with six. Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada have five dismissals each, while several other bowlers share the next position with four wickets.

The reported list is as follows:

1. Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka) – 7 dismissals, Rohit's batting average 14.7.
2. Tim Southee (New Zealand) – 6 dismissals, average 19.2.
3. Morne Morkel (South Africa) – 5 dismissals, average 24.6.
4. Kagiso Rabada (South Africa) – 5 dismissals, average 26.2.
5. Kyle Jamieson (New Zealand) – 4 dismissals, average 17.3.
6. Nathan Coulter-Nile (Australia) – 4 dismissals, average 23.5.
7. Ravi Rampaul (West Indies) – 4 dismissals, average 24.0.
8. Alzarri Joseph (West Indies) – 4 dismissals, average 26.3.
9. Trent Boult (New Zealand) – 4 dismissals, average 33.0.
10. Nuwan Kulasekara (Sri Lanka) – 4 dismissals, average 34.8.
11. Adam Zampa (Australia) – 4 dismissals, average 44.0.
12. Mitchell Starc (Australia) – 4 dismissals, average 48.5.
13. Kemar Roach (West Indies) – 4 dismissals, average 57.5.

Source: Khel Now, 'List of bowlers to dismiss Rohit Sharma most times in ODI Cricket', November 8, 2026. These figures should be independently checked against the underlying ball-by-ball records and an established statistical database before being treated as definitive.

Angelo Mathews: The unexpected leader

The most striking feature of the ranking is Angelo Mathews occupying the top position. Discussions about bowlers who have troubled Rohit frequently focus on New Zealand and South African fast bowlers. However, Mathews has reportedly dismissed him seven times, more than any other bowler in the list.

Mathews has traditionally relied on accuracy, changes of pace, seam position and an ability to disrupt a batter's preferred rhythm rather than simply depending on extreme speed. Against a batter like Rohit, who can dominate once he settles at the crease, such control can be particularly valuable.

Rohit's batting is built around his ability to read the length and use the pace of the ball. His pull shot, back-foot strokes and drives can place enormous pressure on a bowling attack. The challenge for a bowler is to prevent him from settling into that rhythm. Mathews' reported record suggests that he has repeatedly found opportunities to do so.

The batting average of 14.7 is particularly noteworthy. However, an average alone cannot establish technical superiority. The number of deliveries faced, innings played, not-out innings and dismissal circumstances are equally important. Without those details, the figure should be treated as an indicator rather than a complete explanation.

Tim Southee and New Zealand's swing challenge

Tim Southee occupies second place with six ODI dismissals of Rohit and a reported batting average of 19.2. His success is closely associated with his ability to use the new ball, particularly through swing and movement around the off stump.

Southee has often challenged right-handed batters with deliveries that move away after initially appearing to threaten the stumps. This forces the batter to make a decision early. A mistimed drive or a late defensive movement can create an opportunity for the wicketkeeper or slip fielders.

Rohit is particularly dangerous once he has spent time at the crease. However, the opening overs present a different challenge. Bowlers must maintain a disciplined line and length while encouraging the batter to play at deliveries outside his preferred scoring areas.

New Zealand's conditions can also influence the matchup. Cloud cover, atmospheric movement and pitches offering seam assistance can make the new ball more difficult to negotiate. Consequently, Southee's record should be considered alongside the conditions in which those dismissals occurred rather than being treated as a universal assessment of Rohit's ability against swing bowling.

South Africa's pace combination

Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada have each dismissed Rohit five times. His reported batting averages against them are 24.6 and 26.2 respectively. Their success highlights two different forms of fast-bowling pressure.

Morkel was renowned for his height and ability to generate additional bounce. His deliveries could rise sharply towards a batter's body, creating difficulties for players attempting to control the pull shot. Rohit has used that stroke to score heavily throughout his career, but extra bounce can make timing and execution more complicated.

Rabada offers a different challenge through pace, seam movement and aggression. His ability to maintain pressure around the off stump while varying his length makes it difficult for batters to settle into a predictable scoring pattern.

South African conditions are another important consideration. Pitches with extra bounce and carry can amplify the strengths of both bowlers. However, five dismissals against each bowler do not establish that Rohit has been equally vulnerable in every country. Home, away and neutral-venue figures would provide a more reliable comparison.

The four-dismissal group

The next group contains several bowlers with four dismissals each: Kyle Jamieson, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Ravi Rampaul, Alzarri Joseph, Trent Boult, Nuwan Kulasekara, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc and Kemar Roach.

Kyle Jamieson has the lowest reported batting average in this group at 17.3. His height and ability to extract bounce can force batters onto the back foot, while movement outside the off stump creates opportunities for edges. The average is striking, although four dismissals still represent a limited sample.

Nathan Coulter-Nile and Ravi Rampaul have reported averages of 23.5 and 24.0 respectively. Alzarri Joseph's figure is 26.3. These numbers illustrate how different bowling styles and conditions have contributed to dismissals against Rohit.

Trent Boult's left-arm angle creates a different challenge for a right-handed batter. His ability to swing the new ball and attack the stumps has made him a valuable ODI opening bowler. Rohit's reported average against him is 33.0.

Nuwan Kulasekara's average is 34.8. His success was built around swing, accuracy and an ability to maintain control rather than relying exclusively on pace. His inclusion reinforces the importance of movement and disciplined line-and-length bowling.

Adam Zampa is the most notable specialist spinner in this group. He has dismissed Rohit four times, although the reported batting average is 44.0. Mitchell Starc's corresponding figure is 48.5, while Kemar Roach's is 57.5. The contrast demonstrates why identical dismissal totals do not necessarily indicate identical effectiveness.

Rohit's extraordinary ODI ceiling

Any discussion of Rohit's dismissals must be balanced against his extraordinary achievements in the format. He remains the only batter to have scored three ODI double-centuries. His highest score, 264 against Sri Lanka in Kolkata in November 2026, remains the highest individual score in men's ODI cricket.

His first double-century was 209 against Australia in Bengaluru in November 2026. He followed it with 264 against Sri Lanka in 2026 and an unbeaten 208 against the same opposition in Mohali in December 2026.

One of the defining turning points in Rohit's career came when he moved from the middle order to the opening position around 2026. The change transformed his role and allowed him to build innings around the new ball, initial consolidation and explosive acceleration.

This career transition matters when evaluating the dismissal list. Before becoming an opener, Rohit encountered different bowling conditions, older balls and different field placements. After his promotion, he faced new-ball bowlers much more regularly. Combining both periods without separating his batting role can therefore distort the technical conclusions drawn from his dismissal record.

The two-new-ball rule changes the statistical picture

One of the most important factors behind ODI dismissal statistics is the two-new-ball rule introduced in October 2026. The International Cricket Council confirmed that each fielding team would use two new balls during an innings, alternating between the two ends.

The rule has a direct impact on opening batters and opening bowlers. Batters must negotiate a new ball from both ends, while seam movement and swing can create early wicket-taking opportunities. During the first ten overs, only two fielders are permitted outside the 30-yard circle, adding another dimension to the contest.

As a result, opening bowlers can accumulate more opportunities to dismiss a batter than bowlers operating predominantly in the middle overs. Teams that play India frequently in bilateral series and major international tournaments also receive more opportunities to add to their head-to-head dismissal records.

This creates an exposure bias. A bowler who has played India in numerous bilateral and ICC matches may accumulate more dismissals than a bowler with a stronger dismissal rate but fewer opportunities. Raw dismissal totals therefore reflect scheduling as well as bowling ability.

Does Rohit have a permanent technical weakness?

The list suggests that seam movement, swing and additional bounce have been recurring challenges for Rohit. Southee, Morkel, Rabada, Jamieson and Boult represent different versions of that challenge. However, the available figures do not establish a single weakness that every international side can exploit consistently.

A dismissal is influenced by the pitch, weather, ball condition, match situation, field placement and the batter's decision. A mistimed shot or an unusual delivery can also determine the outcome. Consequently, dismissal totals should not be treated as conclusive evidence of a technical flaw.

Based on years of watching cricket and studying scorecards, the most useful part of a batter-versus-bowler comparison is often hidden behind the headline number. A dismissal in the second over carries a different tactical context from one in the 35th over. Similarly, a wicket taken in overcast conditions cannot automatically be compared with one taken on a flat surface under clear skies.

A more useful statistical study would divide Rohit's dismissals into powerplay, middle-over and final-over phases. It would also separate home, away and neutral venues, while examining the number of deliveries faced against each bowler.

The information still missing

The published ranking provides dismissal totals and batting averages but does not provide the number of deliveries Rohit faced against each bowler or the complete innings denominators. Those figures are essential for determining the actual dismissal rate.

For example, Jamieson's reported average against Rohit is 17.3, while Starc's is 48.5. Both have four dismissals in the ranking, yet the difference in average is substantial. However, even this comparison cannot provide the complete picture without balls faced, innings and dismissal modes.

Caught, bowled and lbw dismissals should be separated to identify whether a bowler has succeeded through movement, bounce or another method. The statistical cut-off date must also be stated clearly. Rohit's ODI career began in 2026, and the middle-order and opening phases should be evaluated separately.

ESPNcricinfo Statsguru is an appropriate starting point for checking batter-versus-bowler records. Any published analysis should also specify its definitions, update date and method of counting dismissals.

What the next matchup will reveal

Rohit's ODI career combines remarkable consistency, attacking intent and an exceptional ability to produce major innings. His three double-centuries and his record 264 demonstrate the highest level of his batting. Meanwhile, the records of Mathews, Southee, Morkel and Rabada illustrate how even an elite batter can face recurring challenges against particular bowling styles.

The next stage of this analysis should focus on opportunities rather than headline totals. How many deliveries does each bowler need to dismiss Rohit? Does the success come primarily during the powerplay? Are the numbers concentrated in New Zealand and South Africa, or do they hold across different conditions?

Future India assignments against New Zealand and South Africa will provide another opportunity to examine these matchups. The key question will be whether opening bowlers can reproduce their historical plans or whether Rohit adjusts his approach to the new ball.

The real significance of this ranking lies in understanding the conditions and strategies behind the dismissals, rather than declaring any bowler Rohit's permanent nemesis. When Rohit next walks out to face a new ball, attention should extend beyond the scoreboard to the first six deliveries and the plan behind them. The story of a major ODI innings often begins with the opening contest between bat and ball.