Rohit Sharma is gearing up for his second T20 World Cup as captain, with the sole aim of ending India’s trophy drought in major international tournaments since 2013. In the previous World Cup edition, India reached the semi-finals but lost to the champions England by 10 wickets.
There was little contribution from Rohit as a batter in 2022, but he will aim to give his all in the upcoming edition, which is expected to be the 37-year-old’s last multi-national T20 tournament. He was in excellent form in the first half of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 but failed to maintain consistency in the later stages of the tournament.
Rohit holds many records in the shortest format of the game, including the joint most centuries (5). The veteran opener has played 39 matches in the T20 World Cup and has amassed 963 runs at an average of 34.39 and a strike rate of 127.89. He also has nine half-centuries in the premier 20-over tournament.
Here are Rohit Sharma’s top 3 innings in the T20 World Cup
3. 55*(33) vs Eng, 2014
In the 10th match of the 2014 World Cup held in Colombo, India clinched an emphatic 90-run victory against England. Batting first, the Men in Blue posted 170/4 with Rohit Sharma being the top scorer (55* off 33). Contributions from Gautam Gambhir (45) and Virat Kohli (40) were also crucial.
However, the target proved to be a mountain to climb for the English side who were bowled out for a mere 80 runs in 14.4 overs. Harbhajan Singh was adjudged Player of the Match for claiming four wickets at an economy of just 3.
2. 79*(46) vs Aus, 2010
India had a terrible outing in the 2010 World Cup, failing to qualify for the semi-finals. India suffered a massive 49-run defeat against Australia in the 15th match at Bridgetown, but Rohit Sharma won hearts for his lone fight. Batting first, Australia posted 184/5 on the board thanks to half-centuries from Shane Watson and David Warner.
A fiery Aussie bowling attack tore through the Indian batting unit but they were unable to get rid of Rohit. Although wickets kept tumbling at the other end, Rohit continued his onslaught and remained unbeaten on 79 runs, including four fours and six sixes. The second-highest score in the Indian innings was Harbhajan Singh’s 13 runs. They were bundled out for 135 runs and Australia clinched a huge win.
1. 50*(40) vs SA, 2007
Rohit Sharma was part of India’s World Cup squad in the inaugural edition. Playing his first-ever innings, the then middle-order batter scored an unbeaten 50 off 40 balls to guide India to a 37-run victory over South Africa. Opting to bat first in Durban, India were in a spot of bother when they slipped to 61/4 in 10.3 overs.
Rohit and captain MS Dhoni (45 off 33) put on an 80-run partnership to get them out of trouble. India managed to post a respectable score of 153 for the loss of five wickets and in reply, they restricted the hosts to 116/9 in 20 overs.