Boundaries galore! Rohit Sharma’s 31st ODI century breaks many records

Rohit Sharma's 131 was his seventh ODI World Cup century.

Boundaries galore! Rohit Sharma’s 31st ODI century breaks many records

Rohit Sharma scored the fastest ODI World Cup century by an Indian (Image via ESPN)

In India’s 2nd match against Afghanistan, Rohit Sharma scored his 31st ODI century in just 63 balls. His innings saw an assault on the Afghanistan bowling attack in the powerplay, where he completed his half century in just 30 balls. So far in the innings he has hit 13 boundaries and four sixes. 

But his century was special as the Indian Captain broke many records in his innings. He broke Chris Gayle’s record of the most sixes hit in international cricket. Gayle had hit 553 sixes in 551 innings, while Rohit took only 473 innings to break his record. Along with that, Rohit became the joint fastest to 1000 ODI World Cup runs. Both Rohit Sharma and Australian opener David Warner had taken 19 innings to 1000 runs. 

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Rohit Sharma now also holds the record for most ODI World Cup centuries, overtaking the God of Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin had scored 6 centuries in 45 innings, but Rohit Sharma only took 19 innings. He also scored the fastest ODI World Cup century by an Indian, by surpassing Virender Sehwag. The retired opener scored his century in 81 balls in the 2007 World Cup against Bangladesh, while Rohit took just 63 balls. 

Related: “If it’s a 100m six, it should be…,” Rohit Sharma suggests unique rule change for SIXES in international cricket

Afghanistan bowlers can’t handle the Indian batters 

The Afghanistan bowlers had no answers to the onslaught by openers Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan. Setting up a target of 272 on a very batting friendly pitch, the Afghanistan batters struggled to put up a big score. The opening duo scored a partnership of 156 runs in just 112 balls.

Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan built a partnership worth 156 runs (Image via ESPN)

Taking advantage of the conditions, Rohit Sharma attacked from the word go, scoring a century in just 63 balls. Ishan Kishan saved his wicket till his captain reached his century and then started attacking. He was then dismissed by Rashid Khan, missing out on his half century by just 3 runs. Rohit was finally dismissed in the 26th over by Rashid Khan, departing for 131 runs.

Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli are currently in the middle for India, with the team requiring only 68 runs of 24.2 balls. If India win by a high net run rate, they will go above New Zealand and Pakistan in the table and will be on the top.

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