Watching Rohit Sharma bat in full pomp is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful sights in contemporary cricket as the elegant Mumbaikar makes stroke-making look effortless. During the second ODI against Sri Lanka at Mohali on Wednesday (December 13), Rohit had one of those days when everything clicked for him and he became the first batsman in cricket history to score three ODI double tons.
During the course of his breathtaking 208* off 153 balls, Rohit hit 12 gigantic sixes in addition to 13 fours. In one of the overs of Sri Lanka pacer Suranga Lakmal, the Hitman smashed 4 consecutive sixes with utmost ease and grace.
Following the memorable inning, Rohit confessed that he relies more on timing and the gift of manipulating the field, rather than brute power.
“I like to analyse situations and conditions which were initially not easy. I wanted to play out the overs. I am not someone like AB de Villiers, Gayle or Dhoni. I don’t have that much power. I have to use my brain to manipulate the field, and stick to my strength which is to hit through the lines,” Rohit was quoted by The Indian Express as saying at the post-match press conference.
“Hitting sixes is not easy, trust me. It comes from lots of practice and hard work. Nothing is easy in cricket, when you watch it on TV, it may look simple. But today, I was trying to manipulate with their field setting, by playing those scoop shots, which I believe has been my strength,” he further said.
The 30-year-old stand-in India skipper was also satisfied with the fact that all three of his ODI double hundreds have come in a winning cause for the country.
“The first double century came against Australia after the series was locked 2-2, while the second was also crucial as that also had come against Sri Lanka and more importantly, it was a record score. Even this one is special, because of the circumstances in which it had come. We were 1-0 down in the series, and after our loss in Dharamsala, I was keen to do well as a batsman and help my team. So, this knock is also special as this is my first as a captain of India… So, all the three double hundreds are important for me, as it has helped my team,” Rohit explained.
Sharma, who has made his debut in 2007 for India, also termed 2017 as the best season of his international cricketing career thus far.
“This year has been the best for me as a cricketer. I am someone who doesn’t look too far ahead I am only thinking about this particular series.I have been hitting the ball quite well. I had to be ready when the opportunity came. I have no regrets about what has happened in the past. The future is bright,” concluded Rohit.
As far as the match is concerned – Team India registered an emphatic 141-run victory to level the series 1-1. The third and final One Day International is scheduled to be held at Visakhapatnam on Sunday (December 17).
