Top 5 Rohit Sharma Knocks In Indian Premier League

Rohit Sharma has only one IPL ton [X.com]

India's Rohit Sharma needs to introduce when it comes to both international cricket and Indian Premier League (IPL).

Sharma gained fame after making a mark in the ICC T20 World Cup 2007, and then slowly made giant strides in IPL, with first Deccan Chargers (defunct) and then Mumbai Indians (MI).

As a player, Sharma won his first IPL in 2009, with performances with bat and ball for the Chargers, scoring 362 runs and picking 11 wickets, including a hat-trick. Sharma had a marvellous 2010, slamming more than 400 runs, before moving base to Mumbai with MI in 2011.

The former MI captain gained fame with the MI converting from a batting all-rounder to a proper batter. Sharma's best IPL season came in 2013 when the elegant batter scored 538 runs, which resulted in MI winning their first-ever championship under his captaincy.

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Since 2013, Sharma has added four more IPL titles - 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020 - to his trophy cabinet, which already comprises two winners' medals. With 6,211 runs, the 36-year-old is the fourth-highest run-getter in IPL, which includes one ton and 42 half-centuries in 243 matches between 2008 and 2023. 

In this article, we list Sharma's Top 5 IPL knocks, which remain etched in the minds of cricket fans. 

109* vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 2012

Rohit Sharma slammed a 52-ball 100 [X.com]

Rohit Sharma's love affair at Eden Gardens continued during Mumbai's 2012 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Still making a name for himself in the MI setup, Sharma displayed both brute force and composure during his maiden and only IPL hundred, coming into bat after Sachin Tendulkar's wicket.

The batter in particular took apart Brett Lee, taking him for plenty during his unbeaten knock of 60-ball 109, which included 12 fours and five massive sixes. Sharma along with Herschelle Gibbs stitched a 167-run stand as well, where the former contributed 109 runs. 

MI won by 27 runs

94 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2018

Rohit Sharma slaps a four as Quinton de Kock looks on [X.com]

Having suffered three consecutive losses, the pressure mounted on MI to make a comeback as defending champions in the IPL 20187 edition. Sharma, once again, took the front seat and ensured the franchise earned its first points of the season, beating rivals Royal Challengers Bangalore in Mumbai. 

Undeterred by a poor start, Sharma, who dropped to No.4 in the batting position, absolutely bludgeoned the RCB bowlers all across the Wankhede. The captain took control and only dealt with boundaries, reaching his fifty in 32 balls and then shifting gears into ram-slam mode. Sharma registered a 52-ball 94 laced with 10 fours and five sixes, helping MI cross 200-run mark.

MI won by 46 runs

50 vs Chennai Super Kings, 2015 Final

Rohit Sharma leaves the field after scoring 50 off 26 [X.com]

The much-anticipated IPL 2015 Final between rivals MI and CSK witnessed Rohit Sharma play one of the most impactful knocks in the history of the competition. Coming in at No.3 in the first over itself Sharma took it upon himself to ensure MI reaches a mammoth total in hopes of lifting his second IPL title as skipper.

The MI skipper went hammer-and-tong from the get-go and gave no respite to the opposition bowlers, who were being cantered by runs from both ends, with Lendl Simmons scoring swiftly. With six fours and two towering sixes, Sharma reached the landmark of 50 runs in 25 balls, adding 119 runs with Simmons for the second wicket.

MI won by 41 runs

98* vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 2015

Rohit Sharma struck a mind-boggling unbeaten 98 [X.com] 

In the 2015 tournament opener, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), once again, faced the wrath of Rohit Sharma. Sharma, who opened for MI, found the team in a massive ditch with his side reeling on 37 for 3 in under six overs.

Joined by Corey Anderson, who looked compact and solid, Sharma unleashed his fury on KKR bowlers. The Nagpur-born first targeted Umesh Yadav and then moved to dismantle KKR spinners, who were the main threat. Sharma reached his 50 in 46 balls, but then picked his pace up and slammed his next 48 runs in merely 19 deliveries to remain unbeaten on 98* with 12 fours and four sixes.

MI lost by seven wickets

32* vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 2009

Rohit Sharma slammed 23 off final over against KKR [X.com]

Still an unknown commodity, Rohit Sharma made his name in IPL playing the role of a finisher for his first franchise Deccan Chargers. Sharma's talent and skills were on full display in the match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Johannesburg in the 2019 edition, where the lower-order batter pulled off a heist for his side in the final over.

Having started his innings with a boundary, Sharma was 10 off seven when the Chargers needed 21 off the ultimate over, where Sharma declared his arrival. Sharma pulled Mashrafe Mortaza's first ball for a four, then followed it up with a massive six on the third ball. With the equation reaching eight off three, the former MI captain notched up 11 runs off the final three balls, which included a final ball six, helping Deccan secure an unforgettable victory. 

DC won by six wickets

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