Rohit Sharma once again proved his class with a splendid knock of 264 runs against the Sri Lanka at the historic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The talented batsman was asked to open the inning at the fourth ODI match in the series and he just proved his class once again. Even if the selectors had any doubt in mind eventually this inning cleared all of them. Rohit’s score is the highest individual score in the game of ODI cricket.
The swashbuckling inning from Rohit Sharma helps India win
Rohit not only slammed the Sri Lankan bowling attack, but also ensured that India keep the game out of reach of the visitors. Thus, by the end of the inning India had already put up a mammoth total of 404 runs on board. Rohit’s elegance overshadowed everything else at the Eden Gardens. The Mumbai batsman went on to register his second double century in ODIs. He scored a wonderful 264 runs from 173 balls with 33 boundaries and 9 brilliant sixes. He got out at the last ball of the Indian inning.
Earlier the Indian skipper Virat Kohli decided to bat first after winning the toss. Shikhar Dhawan was rested for the match so Rohit came out to open with Rahane. Both the batsmen started off cautiously, particularly the Mumbaikar was initially reluctant to take on the Sri Lankan attack. At the end of first eight overs team India managed 42/1 only. Rahane was out when he tried to flick Mathews, but completely missed the full length delivery. He got out after scoring 28 runs off 24 deliveries.
Soon Rayadu joined Rohit, but he couldn’t stay there for long he got out at the 13th over after scoring 8 runs only off 19 balls. He was bowled out at a full length delivery from Shaminda Eranga. Virat Kohli joined the party and soon the Mumbai batsman scored his fifth ODI century in the 32nd over. Kohli and Rohit had added 202 runs as a partnership for the third wicket. Kohli was playing well, but a little confusion while running between the wicket cost him heavily. However, Rohit Sharma’s magnificent display of batting skills continued.
Disappointed Kohli was run out after scoring steady 66 runs off 34 balls. At that time India’s score was 262/3 after 39 overs. Eventually Rohit scored his 2nd double ton in the ODI at the 46th over. In the remaining four overs, India added around whooping 62 runs. Finally India gave a target of 405 runs to the Sri Lankan team.
The very first blow to Sri Lankan batting order came when Kusal Perera failed for a duck. Umesh Yadav dismissed him at the very second ball of the Sri Lankan inning. Apart from Mathews no other Lankan batsman could defy the Indian bowling attack. The Lankan skipper stood tall and scored a composed 75 runs and added 118 runs partnership with Lahiru Thirimanne (59), but that didn’t seem to stop team India from winning four matches in a row. It was India’s Dhawal Kulkarni, who shattered all hopes of the visitors with his fiery spell of 4/34. India took an unassailable lead in the series by winning it 4-0.
Rohit Sharma won the Man-of-the-Match award, but only after successful shutting the mouths of all his critics who doubted his ability. Notwithstanding the fact, that India have now quality three openers. All three of them are in good form. It is a tough challenge for the selectors to choose the right combination for the opening slot in the days ahead.
Tags: Cricket, Eden Gardens, India, Kolkata, ODI Cricket, Rohit Sharma, Sri Lanka
