OTD – Rohit Sharma became the first batter to score five hundreds in a World Cup in 2019

On this day in 2019, India skipper Rohit Sharma etched his name in the history books by becoming the first player to score five centuries in a single edition of the ODI World Cup. This remarkable achievement occurred during India’s final league match against Sri Lanka, where Rohit scored his 27th ODI hundred.

His fifth century in the 2019 World Cup saw India secure a commanding seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka at Headingley in Leeds. Rohit’s historic feat in the 2019 World Cup saw him surpass the previous record held by Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara, who scored four centuries in the 2015 edition.

Rohit’s extraordinary run of form included hundreds against South Africa, Pakistan, England, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. This incredible consistency and dominance at the crease played a crucial role in India’s journey to the semi-finals. His campaign began with an unbeaten 122 against South Africa in Southampton, a knock that was characterized by its resilience and composure.
Facing a challenging bowling attack, Rohit navigated through tough spells by Kagiso Rabada and Chris Morris to guide India to a six-wicket victory. His ability to forge crucial partnerships with Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and MS Dhoni was instrumental in India’s successful start.

Rohit Sharma’s iconic innings against Pakistan

Rohit’s second century came in the high-stakes match against Pakistan in Manchester. His scintillating 140 off 113 balls included 14 boundaries and three sixes, helping India post a formidable total of 336 for 5. This innings not only secured a win for India but also maintained their unbeaten World Cup record against Pakistan.
In Birmingham, Rohit scored his third and fourth centuries. Despite a valiant 102 against England, India fell short, losing by 31 runs. However, his 104 against Bangladesh ensured India’s spot in the semi-finals with a 28-run victory.

Also read: Top 3 knocks by Rohit Sharma in Asia Cup

Record-breaking century against Sri Lanka

Rohit’s fifth century, a 103 against Sri Lanka, capped off his remarkable run in the league stages. Although India’s World Cup campaign ended in disappointment with a semi-final loss to New Zealand, Rohit’s record-breaking performance remained a highlight.

His tally of 648 runs was the third highest in a single World Cup edition, behind Sachin Tendulkar’s 673 in 2003 and Matthew Hayden’s 659 in 2007. Rohit Sharma’s unparalleled achievement in the 2019 World Cup not only showcased his batting prowess but also reinforced his status as one of the greatest ODI batters in the history of the game.