IND vs SL 2017: Hardik Pandya is in awe of Rohit Sharma, compares him to lightning

Rohit Sharma made the mockery of Sri Lankan bowling attack in Mohali.

Rohit smacked 12 sixes during his monumental 208 not out at Mohali | BCCI

India skipper Rohit Sharma took the cricketing world by storm on Wednesday (December 13) as he became the first batsman in cricket history to pile up three ODI double centuries.

After an embarrassing defeat in the ODI series opener against Sri Lanka at Dharamsala, the hosts needed a win to stay alive in the series and Rohit came up with an innings of a lifetime to lead India to a series-levelling 141-run victory at Mohali.

The elegant Mumbai batsman started his innings patiently but soon after notching up his 16th ODI ton he became a different beast altogether. During the course of his breathtaking 208* off 153 balls, Sharma hit 12 gigantic sixes in addition to 13 fours. In one of the overs of Sri Lanka pacer Suranga Lakmal, he smacked 4 consecutive sixes with utmost ease and grace.

Cricket fans and cricketers all across the globe were understandably in awe of India’s Hitman, but no one was as much dazzled by the innings as all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who had the privilege of witnessing this majestic feat from the best possible seat in the house.

Following the match, Pandya took to his official Instagram account and wrote: “Lightning does not strike twice? Well, it struck for the third time yesterday! Congratulations @rohitsharma45 for scoring your 3rd ODI double century. I am glad to share this special moment with you.”

 

A post shared by Hardik Pandya (@hardikpandya93) on

Rohit was deservedly adjudged Man of the Match for his herculean batting effort and in the post-match press conference the 30-year-old said that he can’t single out one as his favourite double ton among the three that he boasts.

“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 elaborated in the post-match press conference.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 15 Dec, 2017

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