Cricket World Cup 2019: Rohit 'Hitman' Sharma's heroics

The 32-year-old Rohit Sharma, who amassed 648 runs from nine matches, fell 25 runs short of Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the highest number of runs in a single World Cup.

Published : Jul 16, 2019 22:38 IST

India’s Rohit Sharma celebrates after reaching his century against Sri Lanka in the group stage.
India’s Rohit Sharma celebrates after reaching his century against Sri Lanka in the group stage.
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India’s Rohit Sharma celebrates after reaching his century against Sri Lanka in the group stage.

India opener Rohit Sharma equalled Sachin Tendulkar’s record of six hundreds across all editions of the World Cup, during his knock of 103 against Sri Lanka in the league stage.

India needed 265 for victory and Rohit put on 189 for the opening wicket with K. L. Rahul to make light work of the chase. He smacked 14 fours and two sixes during his knock, which was interspersed with glorious cover-drives and whips through mid-wicket.

Rohit, who became the first batsman to hit five centuries in a single edition, had struck 137 against Bangladesh in the 2015 World Cup at the MCG while Tendulkar had amassed his six hundreds in four World Cups (1996, 1999, 2003 and 2011). Tendulkar did not score any century in the 1992 and 2007 World Cups.

The 32-year-old Rohit, who amassed 648 runs from nine matches, fell 25 runs short of Tendulkar’s record for the highest number of runs in a single World Cup. Tendulkar plundered 673 runs from 11 games in the 2003 World Cup.

India’s batting coach Sanjay Bangar credited Rohit’s progress in ODIs to his understanding of the game. “On a tour, based on the conditions and the country we are playing, we interact as to what tweaks could be added. But all credit to him because he has worked hard and for any batsman to get five hundreds (in the World Cup) is very special,” Bangar said.

“It is not just about his personal success; he is also helping K. L. Rahul and giving him the space that is required. From the team’s point of view, these contributions are very critical,” he added.The 32-year-old Rohit Sharma, who amassed 648 runs from nine matches, fell 25 runs short of Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the highest number of runs in a single World Cup.

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