Published 11:43 IST, September 19th 2019
Rohit Sharma: Hitman’s Golden Run With The Bat In World Cup and 2019
Rohit Sharma is second on the list for most ODI runs this year. With 1232 runs in 25 ODIs, the Indian opener has scored 6 centuries & 5 half-centuries in 2019.
Ever since Rohit Sharma’s opening stint during ICC Champions Trophy 2013 in England, the ‘Hitman’ has been on a roller coaster run-scoring juggernaut in the 50-overs format. Since 2017 in particular, the Mumbai Indians captain has been scoring over 1000 ODI runs in a calendar year. Among all his years playing the white-ball cricket, 2019 by far has been his best one yet. And with three more months left in the year, the right-hander will be looking to extend his tally of runs when India faces off against West Indies for a 3-match home series in December.
Rohit Sharma’s Performance in 2019 so far:
ODI’s in Australia
The opening batsman started his year with a terrific 133 against Australia in a difficult run chase. Even though India lost the game by 34 runs, Sharma’s ton saved Team India from embarrassment after the visitors were reduced to 5-3. His innings of 43 in the 2nd ODI provided a perfect start as India successfully chased down Australia’s 299 to level the series. The Indian team went onto win the final game to pocket the series 2-1.
Limited overs tour of New Zealand
The Men in Blue toured New Zealand for 5 ODI’s and 3 T20I’s. The stylish batsman scored 87 and 62 in 2nd and 3rd ODI’s respectively to set-up Indian wins. The visitors went on to win the series 4-1 but lost the T20I’s 2-1. India’s lone T20 victory came with Sharma top-scoring in the Indian innings.
Home series against Australia
Australia toured India for 5-matches for both countries’ last ODI assignment before the World Cup. By Sharma’s own standards, the opening batter had a quiet series, scoring just 202 runs in 5 matches. India went on to lose the series 3-2 after gaining a 2-0 lead.
2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in England
The Indian vice-captain ended the tournament as World Cup 2019’s highest run-getter. Rohit smashed a record 5 centuries in the edition en route to his 648-runs tally. His match-winning tons against South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were filled with elegant stroke-play and brutal hits to the fence. The opener, however, failed to get going in the semi-final as India went down by 18 runs to lose their second successive World Cup.
India tour of West Indies
Sharma’s 67 in the 2nd T20I set up an Indian win as the visitors went on to win the series 3-0. In the following ODI series, Sharma ended his white-ball tour with scores of 18 and 10.
Home series against South Africa
Rohit Sharma will once again take charge of the top-order for a home series against the Proteas. With just 12 runs to his name in yesterday’s victory, Rohit will be keen to make an impact in the upcoming decider.
Updated 15:56 IST, September 19th 2019