After clinching the T20I series against Sri Lanka, the ‘Men-in-Blue’ took the field in the first ODI of the World Cup year at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and elected to bowl first. Indian team management took the tough call of dropping Ishan Kishan who scored the fastest double hundred in ODIs in his last match against Bangladesh and went ahead with Shubman Gill.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma and Gill walked out to the middle to give a blistering start to their side. Rohit got off the mark with a boundary in the fourth ball of the very first over bowled by Kasun Rajitha. He further scored consecutive boundaries on the first two balls of the third over and got his innings going.
At the other end, Gill also got his innings off to a flying start as he scored three consecutive fours in the fourth over by Dilshan Madushanka. The Indian captain also wasn’t much behind as he smashed the first six of the match against Kasun Rajitha in the seventh over. He further launched the ball into the crowd once more in the same over and brought up the fifty-run stand for the first wicket between him and Gill.
Seeing the captain in red-hot form, Gill took the backseat and let Rohit play the aggressor role. The veteran opener brought up his in 41 balls with a boundary against Wanindu Hasaranga. Gill also brought up his fifty in the 18th over and both openers decided to unleash their beast mode on the Sri Lankan bowlers. The partnership was finally ended on 143 as Shanaka trapped Gill in front of the stumps.
Rohit’s century drought continues in ODI
While Gill departed on 70, Rohit was eyeing his 30th ODI hundred. However, his brilliant knock was ended on 83 as he chopped a delivery by Dilshan Madushanka back onto his stumps.
The Indian captain departed for a well-made 83 off 67 balls with the help of nine fours and three sixes in his innings. As a result, Rohit’s almost thee-year long wait for an ODI hundred continued with his last century coming against Australia on 19 January 2020. The 35-year-old has four fifty-plus scores in his last 12 ODI innings.
Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with reactions on Rohit Sharma’s incredible knock. Here are some of the Tweets:
• Days since Rohit Sharma's last Odi century – 1088.
• Days since Rohit Sharma's last t20 century – 1549.
• Days since Rohit Sharma's last Test century – 495.
Massively overrated ✍🏻#Cricket #CricketTwitter
— Kirket Ekspert 🏳️🌈 (@who__saurabh) January 10, 2023
The Ghost is Back! @ImRo45 😎🔥 pic.twitter.com/iHFtqJ0kqb
— Mumbai Indians TN FC (@MIFansClubTN) January 10, 2023
Today Could Have Been The Day When Rohit Scored His 30th ODI Century, 4th Double Century And 3rd Overall Against Sri Lanka. But It Was Not Meant To Be. #INDvsSL #INDvSL #RohitSharma
— Mayank Thakur (@MayankT45150336) January 10, 2023
whenever i start losing hope in rohit he plays an aesthetically pleasing innings winning me back and then depresses me everytime he fails thereafter #INDvSL #RohitSharma
— rightarmquickbowler (@VanshBafna4518) January 10, 2023
Well played Captain Rohit Sharma.
Aapki Batting Ke Bina Cricket Adhoora hai 🖤.#RohitSharma𓃵 #INDvSL #Hitman pic.twitter.com/urx3qAsPBp— ρяα∂єєρ❹❺ (@iPradeeppareek) January 10, 2023
No way finished Rohit Sharma scored more runs with better strike rate than Shubham Pill 😭😭
— Shrish🍸 (@Whrishti) January 10, 2023
Bro i was in tears when he got out 😭
I was counting 30 left , 20 left , 17 left and suddenly mc Madushanka spoiled everything 😭😭— 🚩K R R I S H⛓️🇮🇳 (@DoubleCenturyY) January 10, 2023
#RohitSharma ❤️🔥
The Lion is back & roaring !!God save him from outer noises .. he will give his best 💥❤️🔥
— MR 😎 (@CricCrazyRaj) January 10, 2023
Rohit Sharma when the opponent is Srilanka#INDvSL #Cricket pic.twitter.com/izUtt1x4Av
— Manojkumar Kandi (@manojkumarkandi) January 10, 2023
Least Innings taken to Score 7500 ODI runs as Opener
149 – Rohit Sharma*
158 – Hashim Amla
170 – Sachin Tendulkar
182 – Sourav Ganguly
193 – Chris Gayle pic.twitter.com/uHthgpVLFe— Cricket🏏 Lover // ICT Fan Account (@CricCrazyV) January 10, 2023
