The first-ever double century in One Day International cricket came in the year 2010. Since then, in the span of seven years, there have been seven individual scores in excess of 200. And one man - Rohit Sharma, has done it thrice. Today (December 13), he hit an epic 208 not out. Now, he has been backed to scale a new high - a ODI 300.
Also read: Rohit sets world record, also matches Sehwag
At Mohali's IS Bindra Stadium, Rohit destroyed the Sri Lankan bowling attack in the second ODI. His 208 not out off 153 balls with 13 fours and 12 sixes, propelled India to 392/4 in 50 overs.
It was the perfect gift from Rohit to his wife Ritika, who was at the ground, on their wedding anniversary today. Ritika was left teary-eyed watching Rohit celebrate his double ton. He kissed the ring on his finger after reaching the mark.
The 30-year-old Rohit is the first batsman in ODI history to score three double tons. He is only the second captain, after Virender Sehwag, to go past the 200-run mark in the 50-over format.
Rohit owns the highest individual ODI score record with 264. Now, former India batsman turned commentator Aakash Chopra feels the Mumbai right-hander can "easily" score a triple hundred.
"Only man to score three 200s in ODI. Can easily be the first man to score a 300. No one hits the ball cleaner... #RohitSharma #IndvSL," Chopra tweeted after watching Rohit's knock in Mohali.
Only man to score three 200s in ODI. Can easily be the first man to score a 300. No one hits the ball cleaner... #RohitSharma #IndvSL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 13, 2017
Last month, Rohit himself had revealed that fans are expecting him to score a 300 in ODIs and he would try.
"Now, whenever I go out to bat, people want a 300 from me. Whenever I field in the deep, at the airport, people keep asking me 'when are you going to score 300?'. Is scoring 300 like just pick up something and eating it? In India, that is the expectation.
"That shows India as a country will never stop expecting more from you. It is completely acceptable because that's what you want and you try to live up to the expectation all the time. Having said that, I will try (scoring 300)," Rohit had told anchor Gaurav Kapur on "Breakfast With Champions" show.
