Rohit Sharma blitzkreig leaves Eden Gardens breathless

Kolkata, Nov 13:

Rohit Sharma Thursday bludgeoned his way into the record books by becoming the first batsman to score two double-tons in One-Day International (ODI) cricket — and to add another feather to his cap, his 264 runs is also the highest individual score in the 50-over format.

The 27-year-old Indian, who had scored 209 against Australia in November last year, thrashed a mediocre Sri Lankan bowling line-up to all parts of the ground in the fourth ODI of the five-match series at the Eden Gardens here.

Rohit Sharma was run out on the final ball of the Indian innings after facing 173 deliveries. His record-breaking innings comprised 33 fours and nine sixes.

India piled on the runs against the hapless opposition and ended their innings with a mammoth 404 for five in 50 overs.

“If Rohit doesn’t get out he will certainly get 250 today,” Mahendra Singh Dhoni tweeted after Rohit Sharma reached the 200-mark for the second time in his career.

It was the fourth overall double ton — all by Indians. Virender Sehwag held the previous highest score with his 219 against the West Indies in December 2011.

Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar was the first batsman to reach the elusive 200 run-mark — scoring 200 not out against South Africa in February 2010.

Zimbabwean Charles Coventry is the only non-Indian in the top 5 scorers list. His 194 not out against Bangladesh in 2009 was, at one point, the highest score in ODIs.

Top 10 scores in ODIs:
Rohit Sharma (India) 264 vs Sri Lanka – Nov 13, 2014
Virender Sehwag (India) 219 vs West Indies – Dec 8, 2011
Rohit Sharma (India) 209 vs Australia – Nov 2, 2013
Sachin Tendulkar (India) 200 not out vs South Africa – Feb 24, 2010
Charles Coventry (Zimbabwe) 194 not out vs Bangladesh – Aug 16, 2009
Saeed Anwar (Pakistan) 194 vs India – May 21, 1997
Viv Richards (West Indies) 189 vs England – May 31, 1984
Martin Guptill (New Zealand) 189 not out vs England – June 2, 2013
Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) 189 vs India – Oct 29, 2000
Gary Kirsten (South Africa) 188 not out vs U.A.E. – Feb 16, 1996

(IANS)