Rohit Sharma, who already has the highest ODI score to his name, blasted a incredible third double century in ODIs on Wednesday. His unbeaten 208 off 151 balls powered India’s imposing total of 392/4 against Sri Lanka in the second One-Day International in Mohali.
While Shreyas Iyer (88 off 70 balls) and Shikhar Dhawan (68 off 67 balls) also contributed with half centuries, it was the Rohit show all along as he got his eye in and then went all out after reaching his first century with a stunning array of shots. His innings had 13 fours and a whopping 12 sixes as the Mumbai batsman hit the hapless Lankan bowlers all over the park.
This was his third ODI double ton and third-highest figures after his 209 against Australia and the 264 against Sri Lanka. But the number that stood out was 36 – that’s how many balls he needed to accelerate from 100 to 200.
Rohit’s scintillating performance was hailed all over and soon he was top trend on Twitter in India as incredible stats and praise flowed, along with some jokes as is the unwritten rule on social media.
The big, astonishing numbers
No. of double-centuries in ODIs:
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) December 13, 2017
Rohit Sharma - 3
All other 2398 players combined - 4#IndvSL
Most double centuries in List A cricket:
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) December 13, 2017
3 - ROHIT SHARMA (for India)
2 - Alistair Brown (for Surrey)#INDvSL
Double hundreds in ODIs:
— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) December 13, 2017
264 Rohit Sharma
237*M Guptill
219 V Sehwag
215 C Gayle
209 Rohit Sharma
201 Rohit Sharma *
200 S Tendulkar#INDvSL
Rohit Sharma smashed Suranga Lakmal for 4 sixes in a row in the 44th over. #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/qDh08kUEJb
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) December 13, 2017
Rohit Sharma is the first Indian opener since Tendulkar (1996 & 1998) and Ganguly (2000) to score 6 or more ODI 100s in a year. #IndvSL
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) December 13, 2017
Most sixes in a calendar year in ODIs for India:
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) December 13, 2017
41 - ROHIT SHARMA, 2017*
40 - Sachin Tendulkar, 1998
35 - Sourav Ganguly, 2000#INDvSL
Congratulatory messages poured in from the cricket fraternity
Way to go my friend. Always a joy to watch you bat :-)) @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/wAhZr5t0ZB
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 13, 2017
Shaaaaaannnaaaaaaaaaa batting @ImRo45 you beauty 👏👏👏👏👏✅🏏⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #INDvSL @StarSportsIndia @BCCI
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) December 13, 2017
The man of double hundreds @ImRo45 You beauty ! World class brothaman 😘
— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) December 13, 2017
Not one, not two but three double centuries in ODI cricket. You made batting look easy and simple in this innings, @ImRo45. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Keep them coming always.👌✌️💪#IndvsSri #BCCI pic.twitter.com/yrb2chCK8U
— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) December 13, 2017
Absolutely unbelievable batting by @ImRo45 ...take a bow skipper..
— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) December 13, 2017
Take a bow @ImRo45 !!! Amazing is not the word !!#class#topknock @BCCI
— Veda Krishnamurthy (@vedakmurthy08) December 13, 2017
Does not need any of the modern innovative shots to get these double hundreds , Rohit Sharma. Devastating yet so classical. 👏👏👏🙏🙏#INDvSL #RohitSharma
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 13, 2017
Oh you legend. You total legend 🙌 #Respect #INDvSL @ImRo45
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) December 13, 2017
3rd ODI double for @ImRo45 . #IndvsSl pic.twitter.com/IuPePFnXmC
— Brendan Taylor (@BrendanTaylor86) December 13, 2017
@ImRo45 😳😳😳 wow weeeeee!!!
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) December 13, 2017
Cricket fans were all awe and praise
Three double centuries in ODIs by a single player is absolutely crazy. Remember Saeed Anwar's 194 was the highest score for 12 long years before Coventry matched it!
— Pritam Sharma (@VanDiablo) December 13, 2017
Well done @ImRo45! Take a bow!
Sunil Gavaskar: Convert 1s into 2s
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) December 13, 2017
Rohit Sharma: Convert 100s into 200s
rohit sharma has now made an ODI double hundred in south, east & north india #INDvSL
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) December 13, 2017
Rohit Sharma becomes a beast once he completes his century. #INDvSl
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) December 13, 2017
The hitman's @ImRo45 3rd double century seems to be unparalleled. The way you tickled the innings was a treat to watch. Congratulations, Rohit. Way to go! pic.twitter.com/AErAf19a1p
— Lakshmi Narayanan (@lakshuakku) December 13, 2017
Rohit Sharma's love with Sri Lanka continues as he cross another international half century against them...
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) December 13, 2017
Dear Rohit Sharma ,This is not a video game.#INDvSL
— Ser Rohit Sharma (@ImRo450) December 13, 2017
People expect a century from Virat Kohli every time he comes to bat, but they expect a double ton from Rohit Sharma every time he comes to bat.
— Godman Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) December 13, 2017
Just Incredible Stuff
And so, so many jokes
Anushka Sharma got married and now she is now Saubhagyawati.
— SAGAR (@sagarcasm) December 13, 2017
But Ritika Sajdeh is Dosaubhagyawati.#Rohit200
Want Rohit Sharma to score 224.
— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) December 13, 2017
Just so he alone doubles India's full total in the last match.#StatsPujari
Since they have already claimed the pollution mask issue, Sri Lankan players can now give the excuse that Rohit Sharma has tampered the EVMs.
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) December 13, 2017
The famous Biswa meme struck again
A message to @coolfunnytshirt from Rohit Sharma pic.twitter.com/q1dzqeT8PV
— Ritik Rai (@RitikRai619) December 13, 2017