Rohit Sharma's legacy as a colossal figure in white-ball cricket is etched in stone. The former India captain, renowned for his monumental scores and effortless six-hitting, redefined batting in the limited-overs formats. His retirement from T20Is after the 2024 World Cup triumph marked the end of an era, but his records, including being the only player with three ODI double-hundreds and a then-record 4231 T20I runs, continue to inspire.
The Day Rohit Rewrote History in Indore
Eight years ago, on December 22, 2017, Rohit Sharma produced a breathtaking display of power-hitting that left the Sri Lankan bowling attack in tatters. The stage was the Holkar Stadium in Indore during the second T20I of a home series. After Sri Lanka's captain, Thisara Perera, elected to field, Rohit, leading the side, unleashed a storm.
Opening with KL Rahul, Rohit provided an early glimpse of his intent, racing to a half-century in just 23 balls. The pair brought up their 100-run partnership in a mere 52 deliveries. What followed was pure carnage. Rohit shifted into a gear that seemed surreal, plundering the bowlers to all parts of the ground.
In a whirlwind of 12 balls after his fifty, he smashed five more sixes and four boundaries to reach a monumental milestone. Rohit Sharma completed his century off just 35 balls, equalling the world record for the fastest T20I hundred, set by South Africa's David Miller earlier that year. In the process, he shattered KL Rahul's previous Indian record of a 46-ball hundred.
Breaking Down a Masterclass Innings
Rohit's innings was a blend of sublime timing and raw power. He was eventually dismissed for a majestic 118 runs off 43 balls, an innings studded with 12 fours and 10 gigantic sixes, maintaining a staggering strike rate of 274.4. His assault laid the foundation for India's massive total of 260 for 5 in their 20 overs, with Rahul contributing a fine 89 off 49 balls.
Sri Lanka, tasked with chasing a daunting 261, began strongly with Upul Tharanga and Kusal Perera adding 109 runs. However, the spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal (4/52) and Kuldeep Yadav (3/52) triggered a dramatic collapse. From a comfortable 145 for 1, the visitors crumbled to 161 for 5 and were eventually bowled out for 172, handing India a comprehensive 88-run victory.
A Legacy Carved in Sixes and Records
This Indore special was Rohit's second T20I century. He would go on to score three more, finishing his career with a record five T20I hundreds, a feat that highlights his consistency in the shortest format. His career-best of 121 not out came against Afghanistan in Bengaluru in January 2024.
Rohit Sharma retired from T20Is as a world champion and a batting behemoth. He finished with 4231 runs, then the highest in T20I history, and remains the only batter to have hit over 200 sixes (205) in the format. Alongside Virat Kohli, who also retired after the 2024 win, he bid farewell to T20Is, leaving behind a legacy of match-winning knocks and records that will be tough to surpass.
