Rohit Sharma and His 200s for India
Rohit Sharma's highest ODI score of 264 came against Sri Lanka. (Source: EspnCricinfo)
Rohit 'Hitman' Sharma holds a unique record in world cricket. He's the only player to notch up three double centuries in ODIs. To add to the laurels, he has a 200 to his name in the Test format. A talented and highly skilled batter, Rohit is a prime example of a change in fortunes due to a single decision. The swashbuckling opener switched from middle-order to his coveted opening slot in 2013 and has not looked back since. Here's a look at Rohit's double centuries to date.
#1 209 vs Australia, Bengaluru
Rohit Sharma celebrates after scoring his maiden double-century. (Source: BCCI)
Rohit struck his first double century in ODIs against Australia at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru in 2013. This Australian tour of India featured 7 ODIs, of which two did not produce any results. The world witnessed runs galore from both teams, which the Men In Blue ultimately won 3-2.
In the series decider, Rohit came down heavily on the Aussie attack comprising the likes of Nathan Coulter-Nile, Xavier Doherty, and Clint McKay. During his stay on the crease, he consumed 158 balls for his 209. This scintillating knock was studded with twelve fours and sixteen massive sixes. He stitched a 112-run opening partnership with Shikhar Dhawan as the team set a target of 384 for the George Bailey-led side.
India won the game by 57 runs as Mohammad Shami and Ravindra Jadeja shared six wickets between themselves.
#2 264 vs Sri Lanka, Kolkata
Rohit has multiple memorable knocks associated with the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, but the best of the lot has to be his 264 against Sri Lanka. In his happy hunting ground in 2014, Rohit explored new possibilities in ODI cricket by crossing the 250-run mark and setting a new bar.
With the 5-match series already in the pocket, Rohit came all guns blazing in the fourth ODI. His 264 came off 173 deliveries and was laced with thirty-three fours and nine sixes. His monstrous knock allowed India to post 404/5 in fifty overs. After plundering the Sri Lankan attack around the park, he finally got dismissed off the last ball of the innings by Nuwan Kulasekara.The opposition could not get close to the target as India won by a whopping 153 runs.
#3 208* vs Sri Lanka, Mohali
Rohit's love affair with Sri Lanka continued in 2017 when Rohit reached his third double hundred in the 50-over format. Trailing the 3-match ODI series 0-1, India needed to keep the series alive. In this do-or-die situation, Rohit, the skipper, led from the front and stayed unbeaten on 208.
With thirteen fours and twelve sixes to his name, Rohit tore apart an attack featuring Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, and Thisara Perera. India posted 392/4 on the board and won the game by 141 runs.
Rohit's 212, India vs South Africa 3rd Test, 2019
Besides his three astounding double centuries in ODIs, Rohit has one to his name in the longest format. It came against the Proteas in the third Test at Ranchi in 2019.
This brilliant knock of 212 came off 255 deliveries in the first innings, with Rohit finding the boundary ropes twenty-eight times along with half-a-dozen sixes. India posted 497/9 in their first installment and followed it with a dominant bowling performance to win the game by an inning and 202 runs.
Hopefully, there's more to come before his retirement!
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 "Nidhi Lohia")
