Rohit Sharma made his ODI debut for India in 2007. However, despite getting ample opportunities, he couldn’t make a significant impact early on in his career.
Further, the Mumbai batter was moved up and down the batting order in the initial years, which didn’t help his cause either. But in 2013, Rohit was entrusted with opening the batting for India, and he showed what he could do in that position.
In the years to come, the dashing opening batter went to hammer big scores. And by big, we mean some of the highest individual scores in ODI cricket.
Rohit not only notched up 1 or 2, but 3 double centuries in the 50-over format. Here we will look at the list of Rohit Sharma’s ODI double centuries.
1. 209 (158) vs Australia | Bengaluru, 2013
After getting a permanent opening slot earlier in the year, Rohit Sharma repaid the faith shown by the team management. He was consistent with the bat before entering the 2013 series against Australia.
In the 2nd match of the series, Rohit scored a match-winning 141*, helping India level the series 1-1. Going into the 7th and last match, the series was hanging in the balance, with both teams winning 2 matches each and the final game being a decider.
Put into bat first, India’s opening pair made their intentions clear by racing away to a 112-run stand for the 1st wicket. Rohit was cautious in his approach until he reached fifty.
After the 25th over, he started slamming sixes but again slowed down as a couple of wickets fell. He completed his century off 113 deliveries and started toying with the Australian bowlers in the last 10 overs.
Rohit smacked boundaries with much ease, hitting the ball in all parts of the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The Australian bowling attack of Clint McKay, James Faulkner, Nathan Coulter-Nile, and Xavier Doherty haplessly watched Rohit race away to his maiden ODI double century.
On the first ball of the 50th over, the opener brought up the 200 mark with a six and got a standing ovation from the dressing room and the crowd. 2 balls later, Rohit fell after scoring a magnificent 209 off 158 balls.
His assault helped India post 383 runs on the board, which India defended and won the series 3-2.
Also Read | Five Reasons that make Rohit Sharma a Special Batsman
2. 264 (173) vs Sri Lanka | Kolkata, 2014
A year later, after his breathtaking innings against Australia, Rohit ‘Hitman’ Sharma unleashed his beast against Sri Lanka.
India opted to bat first in the 4th ODI match, and all eyes were on Rohit Sharma, who was making a return to the squad after recovering from an injury. And he made a resounding comeback, making Sri Lanka regret not clinging on to his catch in the fifth over.
Rohit made the most of the lifeline given by the opposition. He was at his usual, taking chances on the loose balls and keeping the scorecard ticking.
After scoring his half-century, the Mumbai batter started fetching boundaries regularly and upped the ante as he inched closer to the triple-digit figures.
Rohit brought up his century in exactly 100 deliveries, rubbing salt on Sri Lanka’s bad luck. Once scoring the hundred, he broke the shackles and started dealing in boundaries.
The Hitman completed his second ODI double century in the 46th over off 151 balls and was dropped again on the next ball, providing him with the golden opportunity to hammer the highest ODI score.
He went on to score a scintillating 264 runs off 173 balls, losing his wicket on the last ball of India’s innings. His massacre resulted in India posting 404 runs and beating Sri Lanka by 153 runs.
Also Read | List: First Player from Each Country to Score ODI Double Centuries
3. 208* (153) vs Sri Lanka | Mohali, 2017
Rohit Sharma’s inner beast came hounding Sri Lanka again after 3 years. This time in Mohali and as the stand-in skipper of the Indian team.
After being asked to bat first, the opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan provided a wonderful start for India. Sharma was at it again, building a calm, composed foundation for another biggie.
The prolific batter brought up his half-century in 65 balls and then decided to shift gears. Rohit accumulated the next 50 runs in 50 balls to raise his hundred.
Then he pushed the accelerator hard, pummeling boundaries all over the park. In no time, Rohit clobbered another 100 runs in a mere 36 balls, bringing his third ODI double century.
He remained unbeaten on 208 runs, slamming 13 fours and 12 towering sixes. Thus far, Rohit is the only batter with 3 double tons in ODI cricket.
