On this day Rohit Sharma scored 264 runs against Sri Lanka to create a record for the most runs by an individual in an innings, in One-Day cricket. In the fourth match of the ODI series between India and Sri Lanka, he was making a comeback from an injury and played this world-class knock to take India to a thumping victory.
The Hitman Show
Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane opened the innings for India. Rohit was given a lifeline when Thisara Perera dropped his catch early in the innings. After India lost two wickets, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stitched a strong partnership to put India in the front seat.
When Virat Kohli got out Rohit Sharma accelerated and started taking Sri Lankan bowlers on remand. He completed his double-century and paced his innings in such a way that India got to a massive total of 404 runs to almost blow Sri Lanka out of the contest. Rohit ended up with 264 runs off 173 deliveries and hit 42 boundaries as well.
Poor Run Chase
The Indian team had already put a lot of pressure on Sri Lanka with the bat and the run chase was always going to be tough. Umesh Yadav gave the breakthrough in the very first over by dismissing Kusal Perera for a duck. The Indian bowlers pounced on the momentum and took 4 wickets in the powerplay. Angelo Mathews and Lahiru Thirimanne made half-centuries but it was not enough to chase such a humongous target.
Dhawal Kulkarni picked up 4 wickets and from the other end, Umesh Yadav and Stuart Binny chipped in with 2 wickets each. India restricted Sri Lanka to a low total of 251 runs and took a 4-0 lead in the series. Rohit Sharma was adjudged the player of the match for his world-record knock. That record still stays unbeaten and will be very tough to surpass.