Rohit spanks Lanka,indialevelseries
India opener becomes second skipper to score a double hundred, hosts set up decider in Vizag
MOHALI: Rohit Sharma comes across as a happy-go-lucky man, but with bat in hand, his mind works like a computer.
On Wednesday at the PCA Stadium, the stand-in India ODI skipper played another gem of an innings. Stats will tell you he is the only one to score three double centuries in ODIS and his second hundred came off just 36 deliveries. But, it was the ease with which he shifted gears that left everyone awestruck.
India were under pressure after the Dharamsala debacle. Skipper Rohit was under pressure. Nobody would have felt as hurt as Rohit when India slid to 29 for 7 in Dharamsala on Sunday. And, after losing the toss on a cold and foggy morning in Mohali on Wednesday, he would have been under tremendous strain.
The world now knows how India’s opening strength is also its main weakness. Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan walked out, aware of the fact that if they could survive — or see off the new ball in seam-friendly conditions — they could play their shots on a track that had true bounce.
They did precisely that. While Rohit was circumspect to begin with, Shikhar was off to a brisk start and once the two put 115 runs on board, Sri Lanka knew their game was up. In the end, a 141-run win for India squared the series. Angelo Mathews’ unbeaten knock of 111 off 132 balls was the only silver lining in Sri Lanka’s reply.
Rohit’s century didn’t really surprise anyone as he had paced himself well. It was the 36 deliveries post his first 100 runs that spread warmth among the few thousand spectators on a chilly afternoon. It was Suranga Lakmal’s over that really changed the complexion of the game. Four full-tosses were creamed by Rohit for four sixes. It was fantastic viewing as wife Ritika, full of emotions and tension, watched Rohit zoom past the 150-mark.
Rohit was hitting sixes at will and the countdown to 200 began. Partners let Rohit take strike as cameras zoomed in on Ritika as he reached the 190s. It was in the last over that a push towards midwicket earned him the double ton. Ritika was in tears — it was Rohit’s gift to her on their second wedding anniversary.
The Lankans knew 393 was a chase too far for them. They were never in the game and Rohit rotated his bowlers for a good workout. Leggie Yuzvendra Chahal showed why he is one of the most improved bowlers, using the bounce to bag three wickets for 60.