‘Captaincy made double ton special’
MOHALI: Few doubt his credentials as a big-match player, and with the chips down after the humiliating seven-wicket loss in Dharamsala, Rohit Sharma justified his billing with a double ton to lead India to a massive total in the second ODI on Wednesday.
Pacing his innings well, Rohit exploded in the later stages of the game and the momentum was enough to blow away Sri Lanka’s chances of winning the series.
Rohit said it would be hard to rate his third double century. “I cannot rate it because the other one was as important as this one. The first one against Australia was the series decider. We were 2-2 and wanted to win that series. The second one against Sri Lanka, I was making a comeback three months after injury. It was a world record, so obviously that has to be right up
there. This one, having lost the first game, we wanted to come back as a batting group. This is my first captaincy stint and I as a batsman and then as a captain wanted to do well,” said Rohit.
The knock of 208 off 153 balls, studded with 13 fours and 12 sixes, was flawless and effortless, requiring none of the brute force evident in T20s.
Rohit looked in control even as Shikhar Dhawan went after the Sri Lanka bowlers. Dhawan raced to 68 (67 balls) in the 115run first-wicket partnership, but Rohit was content with 46. Then, as Shreyas Iyer showed his aggressive intent, Rohit held back, waiting for the right moment. The second wicket 213run partnership broke Sri Lanka’s back. Rohit was fluent but not belligerent as he raised his 16th century off 115 balls.
What unfolded thereafter was a treat to watch as Sri Lanka couldn’t stop him from gathering runs around the wicket.
“That is style of my play. The first 100 took a little longer. But for the second you are set and seeing the ball nice and hard and you have understood what the bowlers are trying to do by then. It’s about trying to play with the field once you get past 100, it’s about not making a mistake and getting out,” he said.
‘ANNIVERSARY GIFT’
PTI adds: Rohit dedicated his third double century to wife Ritika on the occasion of their second marriage anniversary.
“I’m happy my wife is here on this special day. I know she would have liked this gift from me. She has been my strength. She has always been there for me. You go through so much stress in this sport, and having them around is always special,” said Rohit.