This day in 2013: Rohit Sharma hits 16 sixes in an innings to score maiden ODI double hundred, against Australia
On November 2, 2013, Rohit Sharma smashed 16 sixes in an innings to score his maiden double century in ODIs, in a match against Australia at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.
In Short
- This day in 2007: Rohit Sharma scores 209 against Australia in Bangalore
- Rohit Sharma's marvellous innings helped India win the 7-match series 3-2
- The Team India vice-captain has 3 double hundreds in ODIs
On February 24, 2010, Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar scored the first-ever double hundred in One Day Internationals as he remained unbeaten on 200* against South Africa in Gwalior. In the following year, on December 8, Indian batting legend Virender Sehwag stunned one and all with 219 against West Indies in Indore.
Only two years hence, in the year 2013, would Rohit Sharma become the third batsman to reach the 200-mark in ODIs. On today’s date, the Indian vice-captain in limited-overs has 3 ODI double hundreds to his name but, as they say, the first one always remains special.
What remained a record until June 18, 2019, Rohit Sharma hit 16 sixes in an ODI innings to reach his first double hundred as he scored 209 against Australia in Bangalore on this day 7 years ago. The special innings also included 12 boundaries and Rohit won the Man of the Match as India took the game by 57 runs and the 7-match series by 3-2.
“I didn't really think of the 200 initially. Right from ball one I wanted to stay there. It was a small ground with a fast outfield, we knew it was going to be a big-scoring game keeping the wickets in hand. We always spoke about building small partnerships and we had two big ones today. It's been our strength throughout the series so it was heartening to see that. You never know, even 380 wasn't looking comfortable,” Man of the Match and Series, Rohit Sharma had said after the game as India (383/6) beat Australia (326) in Bangalore.
“Credit goes to Dhawan and Virat as well, they played very well throughout the series, we showed real character. I'm enjoying opening at the moment, just want to keep continuing and want to continue fresh. I'm looking forward to the West Indies series now and I didn't know about the 16 sixes record.”
Rohit’s 16 sixes in one ODI innings remained a record until England’s limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan (71-ball 148) smashed 17 maximums against Afghanistan in Machester, during the 2019 World Cup.
Most sixes in an ODI innings:
Eoin Morgan: 17 vs Afghanistan (2019)
Rohit Sharma: 16 vs Australia (2013)
AB de Villiers: 16 vs West Indies (2015)
Chris Gayle: 16 vs Zimbabwe (2015)
Shane Watson: 15 vs Bangladesh (2011)
While the first three batsmen to score a double hundred in ODIs were Indians, Rohit Sharma went on to score another double hundred in 2014. Playing against Sri Lanka, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Rohit Sharma scored a 173-ball 264 that remains unparalleled till date. Sharma scored his 3rd double hundred (208*) against Sri Lanka, on December 13, in Mohali.
Till date, in the 50-over format, only 8 double hundreds have been scored and Rohit owns 3 of them. No other batsman in this list has scored an ODI double hundred more than once. Meanwhile, Chris Gayle and Fakhar Zaman are the only batsmen with an overseas double hundred.