Cricket Classics - Part XXX : Rohit Sharma’s 264
Hello, fellow Sports Enthusiasts,
Cricket is not just a sport between two teams; it's a battle of skills, strategy, and capitalizing on clutch moments. Although the game has transformed over the decades, it has never failed to impress or leave us with unforgettable moments.
So, through this series, I will present some of the most iconic cricket matches that have made fans jump out of their seats. Let's remember those legendary games once a week. I am with another iconic match.
Rohit Sharma, also known as the "hitman," is an explosive opener for India, especially in the shorter format of the game. He is a proven captain, having won the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy for India, as well as five Indian Premier League titles with Mumbai Indians. This guy not only has a wide range of shots, but also has a reputation for scoring big innings in ODIs. Can you believe that he has three double centuries in ODIs, and the highest individual score as well?** When it's an incredible feat even in Test Cricket, imagine his level in the shorter format.
In 2014, Sri Lanka toured India for a 5-match ODI series. Angelo Mathews captained the Sri Lankan team, with some wonderful players like Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chandimal, Thisara Perera, Kulasekara, Ajantha Mendis, etc. Virat Kohli captained the Indian team, with Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Rayudu, Rahane, and a few other players.
This was the fourth match, and India had already won the series. Believe me, even with a good team, Sri Lanka was whitewashed, along with many unnecessary records.
The date was Nov 13, 2014 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata; a paradise for the batters. Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane of India started the batting. They started it slowly. Particularly Rohit Sharma, tried to stay on the crease as he came back from an injury. They just managed 46/1 in the first powerplay, and lost two wickets for 59 runs. Then Kohli and Sharma added a 202-runs partnership off 27 overs. Kohli scored 66 runs. It was the only considerable contribution form the others, and it was a sole show from Rohit.
He reached the half-century in 72 balls with 5 fours, in the 24th over. From there he accelerated a lot bangins the ballers. His hundred came in 100 ballas, with 12 fours and a six.
He played another 73 balls, when he got out in the final ball of the macth. Guess how much he scored? 164 runs in his final phase. It was just the fireworks from him covering all over the ground, without sparing any baller. His inning was just a pleasing to the eyes.
At the end of the inning, he scored 264 runs in 173 balls including 33 fours and 9 sixes. He became the only batsman with two ODI double tons, and later he smashed another having three. This is the highest individual score in ODIs, and the highest number of fours in an inning.
taken from this & enhanced by this
With that India scored 404/5. Sri Lanka was never in the game in the chase. The lost Perera in the first over, and four wickets inside the powerplay for 48 runs. Angelo Mathews and Thirimanna scored fifties, but it was never enough. We were all out for 251 runs, and India won by 153 runs. In fact, Sharma has more runs than Sri Lanka.
Even a decade later, his record remains untouched, and it shows his level of batting in that inning.
See you at the next episode!! You can always suggest a match to discuss in the next episode.
src - espncricinfo
Thank you.
Best Regards!
