New Delhi: Rohit Sharma turned 36 on April 30, which is, today and cricket fraternity and his fans from all across the globe are pouring in wishes for the Indian men’s cricket team captain. In his illustrious career, the batter has established himself as a modern-day great and is a player who will go down in the books as a legend.
While Rohit has played several knocks to remember, his three double centuries in ODI cricket is something no one can forget. He holds the record for the highest ever score in ODIs and is the only batter to hit three double tons in one-day games in the international arena. Relive the charisma and fireworks of his double centuries:
1. 209 vs Australia (2013)
After winning the Champions Trophy, Rohit established himself as one of the best openers in ODIs and playing against Australia, he scored his first double century. First he and Shikhar Dhawan put up a century stand opening the inning and playing till the end, Rohit scored 209 off 158. In his knock, he hit 12 fours and whopping 16 sixes!
His double ton took India to 383 and in reply, Australia was wrapped up for 326 after Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja picked three wickets each.
Rohit made the record for the highest number of sixes hit in an ODI inning and it lasted for six years before Eoin Morgan hit 17 in 2019. This knock made him only the third batter to score an ODI double ton after Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag.
2. 264 vs Sri Lanka (2014)
The fourth ODI between India and Sri Lanka in Eden Gardens witnessed a historic feat when Rohit Sharma unleashed Ro’hitman’ Sharma and scored the highest ever ODI score. Hitting nine sixes and highest ever fours (33) in an ODI inning, Rohit scored 264 off 173 and took India’s total to 404. No bowler had the answer to his heroics as he found the gaps and played his hooks and pulls to put up a mammoth score.
In reply, Sri Lanka was wrapped up for 251 as Dhawal Kulkarni picked up a four-wicket haul.
3. 208* vs Sri Lanka (2017)
Sri Lanka became a target of Rohit’s fireworks once again in Mohali in 2017. Rohit put up a 115-run opening stand with Shikhar Dhawan and a 213-run stand with Shreyas Iyer to put India to a total of 392. In his knock of 208 off 153, Sharma hit 13 fours and 12 sixes.
Angelo Matthews century went in vain as Sri Lanka could muster only 251 runs after Yuzvendra Chahal picked three wickets and Jasprit Bumrah got two.