On this day in 2007, Rohit Sharma smashed his maiden half-century
The current Indian captain, Rohit Sharma was just 20 when he smashed his maiden half century on this day in 2007. India were facing South Africa in a must-win game in the inaugural T20 World Cup 2007.
Story of how Rohit played the innings of his life
At the beginning of his career, Rohit used to bat down the order. India were 33 for 4 when Rohit came out to bat in the middle. The South African bowlers, Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini and Morne Morkel were all over the Indian batting line-up.
The 20-year-old, Rohit made his debut not even three months ago, but he had something in him as he was chosen to represent India at the T20 World Cup 2007. Where batters like Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir struggled, Rohit smacked the South African bowling line-up and notched up his maiden international half-century.
Rohit Sharma alongside the newly appointed captain, MS Dhoni, added 85 runs together when the team was five down with just 61 on the board. MS Dhoni smashed 45 off just 33 deliveries, while Rohit played a blistering knock of 50 not out off 40 deliveries.
With two sixes and seven boundaries, Rohit's half-century helped India reach a respectable total of 153 runs. The bowlers did the rest and bowled out the South African team for just 119 runs and won the game.
Rohit Sharma was named the Player of the Match for his match-winning knock. It's been exact 16 years since that knock and Rohit is now known as one of the stalwarts of the T20Is and has recently completed 10000 runs in the ODI cricket.
He was not a part of the 2011 World Cup winning team, and now, he will be leading the Indian team in the upcoming Cricket World Cup 2023.
 "Saksham Chugh")
