On This Day: Rohit Sharma hits record 5 centuries in a single World Cup; relive all of them

Here is a recap of Rohit Sharma's five centuries in the 2019 World Cup.

Rohit Sharma climbed on Mount Everest of records on this day, July 6 in the ICC World Cup 2019, when he overtook Kumar Sangakkara’s record of four centuries in a single edition of the tournament after smashing his fifth ton of the tournament against Sri Lanka.

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The tournament had started for Sharma with a century and he enjoyed a glorious run throughout the tournament, amassing 648 runs in 9 innings with 5 centuries in the tournament and was the highest run-getter as well, averaging 81 and scoring his runs at a strike rate of 98.33.

Today, we take a look back at all of Rohit’s five centuries in the 2019 World Cup and relive one of the best performances by an Indian batsman in the tournament history.

1. 122* V SOUTH AFRICA

This was the first match for India in the tournament, while South Africa had already lost the tournament opener against England. Faf du Plessis won the toss and chose to bat first.

However, Yuzvendra Chahal’s 4/51 was enough to keep the Proteas to 227/9, which was only possible due to Chris Morris’ late surge of 42 and Kagiso Rabada’s 31*. Rabada then got rid of Shikhar Dhawan early, but Rohit Sharma continued to prod along and with help of Rahul (26), and Dhoni (34), took India to a comfortable 6-wicket win with almost 3 overs to spare.

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Rohit remained unbeaten on 122 in 144 balls with 13 fours and 2 sixes. He also crossed some milestones on that day, reaching 12,000 runs across formats in international cricket – the ninth Indian to do so – and he also leapfrogged former India captain Sourav Ganguly on the list of ODI centuries.

2. 140 V PAKISTAN

The second century from the bat of Rohit Sharma came in the high-voltage clash against arch-rivals Pakistan. The atmosphere was electric especially after the border clashes that year and the Pulwama terrorist incident.

Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed shocked everyone by choosing to bowl after winning the toss.

India took the gift offered by the opposition with both hands as KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma dismantled the Pakistani bowlers. Pakistan had a chance to run Rohit out, but messed up a simple opportunity and rued for the rest of the day, as the duo added 136 runs.

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Rohit continued on to make 140 in 113 balls with 14 fours and 3 sixes and was distraught by himself for getting out in the 39^th over, realizing he missed out on a double century here.

India made 336/5 and kept Pakistan to 212/6, winning the match by 89 runs via the D/L method. Rohit had scored his 24^th ODI ton and one of his shots over point for a six reminded fans of Sachin Tendulkar’s shot off Shoaib Akhtar in the 2003 World Cup.

3. 102 V ENGLAND

India was unbeaten in the league stages until they met hosts England in Birmingham. A century from Jonny Bairstow and half-centuries from Ben Stokes and Jason Roy led England to an impressive 337/7 in 50 overs.

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India got off to the worst start as KL Rahul fell for a duck, but Rohit Sharma continued his Midas touch as he stroked a confident 102 in 109 balls with 15 fours. Kohli made 66, while Pandya and Pant made 40-odd runs, but the chase fizzled off in the last 10 overs, with India finishing on 306/5, losing by 31 runs.

4. 104 V BANGLADESH

The frustration of losing to England despite making a century led to Rohit Sharma dismantling the Bangladeshi bowling attack at Edgbaston. Batting first after winning the toss, Rahul (77) added 180 runs for the first wicket with Rohit Sharma, who bludgeoned 104 off 92 balls with 7 fours and 5 sixes.

India made 314/9 thanks to these two and contributions from Pant (48) and Dhoni (35). 

Rohit's innings reeked of authority and shots reeled off flawlessly from his blade, as Mortaza, Mustafizur, Saifuddin, and Shakib all had no idea how to contain him. With this century, he equaled the world record held by Kumar Sangakkara, who had made four centuries in the 2015 World Cup.

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Bangladesh managed to give a tough fight, but 4/55 from Jasprit Bumrah, who gave a masterclass in death overs bowling and 3/60 from Hardik Pandya kept them to 286 runs. Shakib and Saifuddin made half-centuries in commendable innings, but Bangladesh lost by 28 runs, ensuring India of a semi-final berth.

5. 103 V SRI LANKA

Angelo Mathews’ 113 and Lahiru Thirimanne’s 53 led Sri Lanka to 264/7 as they batted first at Leeds, as Bumrah picked 3/37. In reply, KL Rahul (111) and Rohit Sharma (103) added 189 runs for the first wicket, leading India to a comfortable 7-wicket victory.

It was on this day, July 6, Rohit Sharma hit the world record fifth century in the 2019 World Cup, to become the first man to achieve this feat in the prestigious ICC event. He hit 14 fours and 2 sixes in his knock, brining pride not only to the Indian team but to the entire nation as well.

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With this century, he also went level with Sachin Tendulkar for the record of most centuries in World Cup history, as both now had 6 centuries. Though Tendulkar took 6 tournaments to make 6 centuries, with 2 each coming in 1996 and 2011 editions.

Rohit ended the tournament with a record haul of 648 runs in 9 innings.