Rohit Sharma Continues to Break Records at ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

Indian opener Rohit Sharma has been in red hot form off late, and the Men in Blue’s latest clash against Australia is proof of it. Earlier, the Indian team’s vice captain completed 2000 runs against Australia in ODI cricket. The good form continued when India and Australia met in their World Cup 2019 encounter at The Oval.

Rohit Sharma needed just 37 innings against Australia to become the fastest player to reach the landmark against one particular team. In the process, he surpassed the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. The Master Blaster achieved the target in 40 innings, incidentally also against Australia. Rounding out the top 5 are, West Indies legend, Sir Vivian Richards, India skipper Virat Kohli and former captain, MS Dhoni.

Rohit Sharma also has the honour of being the 4th batsman to score 2000 ODI runs against Australia. Currently, Tendulkar, Desmond Haynes and Viv Richards are the only ones within reach. Sachin Tendulkar has amassed 3077 runs while West Indies players, Haynes and Richards, struck 2262 and 2187 respectively. In other words, Rohit Sharma is in a very elite club.

Sadly, the euphoria had to die down and some point, and that was exactly what happened to Rohit Sharma. The 32-year old was rudely brought down to earth when he was dismissed by Nathan Coulter-Nile for 57 off 70 balls. However, considerable damage had already been inflicted, namely, a solid 127-run opening partnership with teammate Shikhar Dhawan.

In the end, India put up a fighting total of 352 for the loss of 5 wickets. Dhawan, in the mean time, soldiered on and smashed 117 runs, bolstered by 82 runs from skipper, Virat Kohli and a 48 from all-rounder Hardik Pandya. India also opened the batting after winning the coin toss and electing to bat.

Sharma’s feat comes in the wake of his unbeaten 122* in India’s first game against South Africa.