This day, that year: Rohit Sharma shatters records with 264 against Sri Lanka in Kolkata

This day, that year: Rohit Sharma shatters records with 264 against Sri Lanka in Kolkata

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma

India’s one of the finest limited-overs batsmen Rohit Sharma smashed the highest-ever individual score in One Day Internationals (ODIs) on this day in 2014. The Indian opener played a record-breaking knock of 264 runs against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. 

Rohit’s swashbuckling 264 came during the fourth game of the tour. By that time, India had already clinched the five-match series after registering victories in the previous three ODIs. 

Rohit didn’t always look comfortable while batting during that game. At one stage, the right-hander was struggling at four runs in 15 balls. Moreover, he also got lucky after Thisara Perera dropped his catch while fielding at the third man. The Sri Lankans would never have imagined how costly that drop would turn out to be!

Also Read | Irfan Pathan feels Rohit Sharma is a mixture of Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni

Rohit made the Lankans pay off after adding 260 more runs to his score of four. His first hundred runs came at a run-ball rate but Sharma shifted the gears from thereon. His next century came in just 51 deliveries. But Rohit Sharma didn’t stop there as he smashed another 64 runs. Unfortunately, Rohit could not carry his bat as he got out on the ultimate delivery of the innings to Nuwan Kulasekara. 

India’s mammoth total of 404

Team India posted a massive total of 404-5 at the end of their 50 overs. Virat Kohli emerged as the second-highest run-getter with his knock of 66 runs in 64 deliveries. As a result, Rohit Sharma ended up scoring more than 65 per cent of the total runs for his side. 

Robin Uthappa emerged as the silent contributor in Rohit’s knock as he kept rotating the strike to have the Indian opener at the batting end. Social media still calls this as one of the most selfless acts in the history of the game.

In reply to India’s 404, Sri Lanka bundled out for 251 inside the 44th over. Consequently, the Men in Blue registered a thumping victory of 153 runs.

Also Read | IPL 2020 : Rohit Sharma hails ‘discipline on field’ for Mumbai Indians’ record fifth title