#OTD in 2019: When Rohit Sharma's Majestic Ton Lit up the World Cup Stage Against Pakistan
India went on to win the match by 89 runs (ICC Twitter)
On this day, four years ago, the cricketing fraternity witnessed an extraordinary spectacle of Indian batter conjuring up a masterful knock on the grand stage of the ICC World Cup 2019 against arch-rivals Pakistan.
Rohit produced a scintillating display of audacious strokes with panache and left leaving spectators in awe of his exquisite artistry with the bat. In a mesmerizing display of batting brilliance, he unleashed a blistering assault, scoring 140 runs off a mere 113 deliveries to lay the foundation of a famous Indian victory.
Rohit's power-packed 140 against Pakistan in ICC World Cup 2019
Arriving at the crease on the heels of a century and a half-century in India's first two games of the tournament, Rohit exuded an aura of confidence and purpose. He embarked on a quest to propel India to an insurmountable total after being asked to bat first by Pakistan.
Forming a sublime opening partnership with KL Rahul, who assumed the role of opener in place of the injured Shikhar Dhawan, the duo forged an imperious opening stand and stitched a stunning 136 run partnership.
After Rahul’s dismissal, Rohit’s unquenchable appetite for runs refused to be sated, as he then joined forces with the then-Indian captain Virat Kohli to further solidify India's commanding position. The duo produced a breathtaking 98-run partnership for the second wicket to firmly seize the reins of the contest.
Indian top three’s onslaught punctuated by a staggering array of 24 boundaries and 5 sixes propelled the side to set a massive total of 336/5 in 50 overs. Rohit himself dazzled the spectators by smashing 14 fours and three maximums.
WATCH: Rohit Sharma's 140 vs Pakistan
In response, Vijay Shankar, Hardik Pandya, and Kuldeep Yadav put on a sensational bowling picking two wickets a piece. Their efforts stifled the Pakistan chase, restricting them to a modest total of 212 for 6, even amidst the revised target of 302 runs in 40 overs due to intermittent rain interruptions.
This triumph added another chapter in India's dominance over Pakistan, extending their unbeaten record to 7-0 in ODI World Cups and pushing the overall World Cup scoreline to a staggering 11-0 in India's favour across all formats.
Rohit's World Cup odyssey didn't end here. He went on to strike four more centuries, creating an unparalleled record of five in a single edition of the World Cup. In doing so, he went past Kumar Sangakkara's record of most centuries in an ODI World Cup and aligned himself with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s tally of World Cup tons.
 "Jatin")
