Published: Mar 19, 2015, 04:17 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 19, 2015, 05:35 PM (IST)
Rohit Sharma slammed 137 off 126 balls during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 quarter-final encounter against Bangladesh at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), helping India post a formidable 302 for six after 50 overs. Rohit added 75 with Shikhar Dhawan before the latter fell; Virat Kohli followed almost immediately; and after a brief stand, Ajinkya Rahane followed suit, leaving India in the doldrums at 115 for three after 28 overs. Read: Highlights of India’s innings vs Bangladesh in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 quarter-final
A total of 300 seemed distant, but Rohit and Suresh Raina batted at a breakneck pace, adding 122 from 101 balls. Raina (65 from 57) did the bulk of scoring, but once he was dismissed Rohit took control; reaching his hundred off 108 balls. His next 37 came off a mere 18, and it took a screaming yorker from young Taskin Ahmed to dismiss him — in the 47th over. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage
Rohit’s innings was the fulcrum around which the Indian innings rotated. However, in an innings studded with 14 fours and three sixes, five spectacular shots — the following ones — stand out. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: SCHEDULE & MATCH DETAILS
1. That gorgeous square-drive, off Mashrafe Mortaza, first ball of the match: Intensity was high when Mortaza steamed in to send down the first ball of the match. It was slightly wide of off-stump, and Rohit simply leaned into it to get India off the mark. What is it that they say that if you want to attack a side, go for the captain first? Top 10 batsmen in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
2. Vintage flick past mid-wicket, off Taskin Ahmed, took Rohit from 50 to 54: Rohit’s first fifty was unlike him. If anything, he was happy with taking a backseat, reaching there in 70 balls. Then young Taskin bowled one on off-and-middle; Rohit shuffled a bit and played it through mid-wicket. The tension that loomed over Rohit till then was released in that one joyful stroke. Top 10 bowlers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
3. The sail into the stands, off Rubel Hossain, took Rohit from 112 to 118: Raina’s dismissal meant that Rohit had to lead the charge. Having reached his hundred, Rohit dismissed a fast one from Rubel — the footwork was neat, the timing precise — over long-off, crossing the huge amphitheatre. Top 10 fielders in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
4. The inside-out dismissal, off Rubel Hossain, took Rohit from 123 to 127: Rohit had hit Rubel for a six and a four earlier that over. When Rubel bowled the last ball of the over (at quite a pace), Rohit moved towards leg, and placed the ball through extra-cover. It was one of those reasons that they call him the “most talented Indian batsman after Sachin Tendulkar”.
5. The authoritative slog, off Taskin Ahmed, took Rohit from 127 to 133: By this time Rohit got into the zone. With the overs running out, Rohit decided to go for the skill. Taskin’s ball was quite fast, but Rohit was up to the challenge; the timing was impeccable, and poor Taskin could only watch the ball soar into crowd over mid-wicket. Top 10 wicketkeepers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
