Scoring a double hundred in ODIs was an unthinkable prospect until the legendary Sachin Tendulkar broke the barrier in 2010 against South Africa. Since then, there have been just 4 batsmen who went past 200 in ODI cricket. Rohit Sharma, who had scored 209 against Australia in 2013, then did improbable by scoring his second double hundred when he made a massive 264 against Sri Lanka in 214.
The hitman wasn’t satisfied with that as he punished Sri Lanka yet again to score a miraculous 3rd double hundred in ODIs. In the 2nd ODI at the PCA Stadium, Mohali, Rohit Sharma notched up unbeaten 208 runs off 153 balls to power India to 392/4 at the end of 50 overs batting first.
The stand-in skipper in the absence of Virat Kohli began cautiously against the new ball bowlers. His opening partner Shikhar Dhawan was on a roll initially as he went after the bowlers. Rohit was patient and didn’t try to match Dhawan shot for shot. Dhawan departed after scoring 68 but Rohit wasn’t flustered with that.
Rohit got to his half-century off 65 balls in the 24th over and even after that, he was focusing on building the innings alongside Shreyas Iyer. In the 40th over, the opener got to his century off 115 balls and got ready to launch at the back end of the innings.
The real assault began in the 44th over as Suranga Lakmal was hammered for 4 sixes by Rohit. Another couple of sixes in the next over took him past 150 as the double century then seemed a possibility. Iyer got out for 88 in the 46th over for 88 but it didn’t impact his skipper who continued the onslaught at the other end.
The ball kept sailing out of the ground in each over as the Mumbai-lad kept getting closer to the improbable. He stood on 191 with the last over to go. A six off the first ball followed by 2 couples helped him bring up his 3rd double hundred. The Indian dressing room as well as the thousands in the stands erupted with joy. Ritika, the wife of Rohit was in tears of happiness. At the end, he stayed unbeaten at 208 of 153 balls that included 13 fours and 12 sixes.
Here is how Twitter reacted
https://twitter.com/Martyguptill/status/940876624660180994
Rohit Sharma today:
0-50 runs: 65 balls (5×4)
51-100 runs: 50 balls (4×4, 1×6)
101-150 runs: 17 balls (1×4, 6×6)
151-200 runs: 18 balls (3×4, 4×6)208 runs. 153 balls. 13 4s. 12 6s. One Rohit Sharma.#INDvsSL
— Cricout (@Cricout) December 13, 2017
It's just his 3rd. The way he plays after getting a hundred, I can promise you he'll get many more ODI double centuries. @ImRo45 take a bow. #INDvSL
— Shubham Khare (@shubhamkhare71) December 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/Mitch_Savage/status/940877740017946624
Absolutely unbelievable batting by @ImRo45 …take a bow skipper..
— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) December 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/rajasthanroyals/status/940877924831563776
A third double for Rohit. When the conditions are in his favour, he is really quite unmatched
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/JimmyNeesh/status/940870523948556288
3rd ODI double for @ImRo45 . #IndvsSl pic.twitter.com/IuPePFnXmC
— Brendan Taylor (@BrendanTaylor86) December 13, 2017
Insane 24 hours. Pitchside for @henrygayle s 18 sixes yesterday. Now a sumptuous treat from the hit man @ImRo45. UNREAL #INDvSL
— Gautam Bhimani (@gbhimani) December 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/940877115808976896