Virat Kohli's words came true on Wednesday (December 13) as Rohit Sharma smashed a historic double century in the third One Day International against Sri Lanka in Mohali.
It was captain Rohit's show at Mohali's IS Bindra Stadium as he set a world record with his epic 208 not out in the must-win contest. He is the first batsman in history to hit three ODI double tons.
Also read: Rohit sets world record, also matches Sehwag
With Kohli opting to skip the ongoing limited-overs series for his marriage with Anushka Sharma in Italy, Rohit was handed the captaincy responsibility. And the Mumbai right-hander celebrated that in fine style.
On December 11, Kohli tied the knot with his girlfriend Anushka in Tuscany. He might have missed watching Rohit's brilliant knock. However, his words on December 3, have come true.
Also read: Rohit pays Rs 20,000 for Sri Lanka fan's air ticket
After Kohli struck his second successive double hundred in Tests, against Sri Lanka, in Delhi during the third and final game of the series, he was asked by team-mate Cheteshwar Pujara as to when he would breach the 200-run mark in ODIs.
Kohli did admit that it was difficult for him to score 200 in the 50-over format and explained how Rohit had more chances as he would be "unstoppable" after reaching 130.
"Rohit (Sharma) has done it two times. I don't think that I can hit as many shots as him, in the later half of the innings. That is why he ended up doing that. He is unstoppable if he goes past 130 or 140. I will try to do it if I have enough overs," Kohli had told Pujara in an interview posted on the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) website.
Rohit did the same what Kohli had said. He scored runs at will after reaching his 16th ODI century. He took 115 balls to reach his first 100 and to get to his next three-figure mark he needed just 36 deliveries.
He hit four successive sixes off Suranga Lakmal. Overall, his top-class knock was embellished with 13 fours and 12 sixes.
Rohit's progression from 100 to 200
100 off 115 balls
150 off 133 balls (100 to 150 in 18 balls)
200 off 151 balls (150 to 200 in 18 balls)
First 104 runs - 118 balls, next 104 - 35 balls (208 not out off 153 balls)
