Rohit Sharma becomes first batsman to score two double hundreds in ODI
Mumbai: India batsman Rohit Sharma on Thursday became the first player in the history of international cricket to register two double hundreds in his one-day international (ODI) career. In the fourth ODI against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the Mumbaikar went berserk hitting bowlers all around the park.
The Borivali lad, grown up playing cricket in the maidans, started slow. He accelerated once he completed his half-century. Rohit broke compatriot Virender Sehwag's 219 against West Indies in 2011. He scored 264 off 173 balls (33 boundaries, nine sixes).
He ended his innings in the last ball of the Indian innings, caught by Mahela Jayawardene off Nuwan Kulasekara.
In 2013, the batsman had achieved the landmark for the first time when he scored 209 off 158 balls against Australia in November – seems like his lucky month. That innings included 12 boundaries and 16 sixes.
"I made my Test match debut here in Kolkata where I got a hundred (177 against West Indies), even an IPL hundred (109 not out for Mumbai Indians against Kolkata Knight Riders), the crowd was cheering and supporting Team India which helped me," said Sharma.
Sharma started displaying his elegant drives once he crossed his hundred. Nuwan Kulasekara, Ajantha Mendis et all were victims of his wrath. From 46 off 67 balls, Sharma raced to 100 off 100.
However, the batsman was dropped by Thisara Perera when he was batting on four. He was again dropped further when he was on 201(by Prasanna) and 222 (by Mahela Jayawardene), but that was too late to stop the damage.
Bowling figures of the Sri Lankans in the match
N Kulasekara 9-0-89-1 (Econ 9.88)
S Eranga 10-0-77-1 (Econ 7.70)
S Prasanna 10-0-70-0 (Econ 7.00)
A Mendis 7-0-70-0 (Econ 10.00)
India ended 404/5 at the end of 50 overs.
Take a look into his last double ton in ODI (November 2, 2013)
Other double tons in ODI
Virender Sehwag 219 against West Indies
Rohit Sharma 209 against Australia
Sachin Tendulkar 200 not out against South Africa
