Rohit Sharma set a world record today (January 17), becoming the first batter to score five hundreds in men’s T20Is, achieving the feat against Afghanistan in Bengaluru.
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Rohit, who was playing his first T20I series since the 2022 T20 World Cup, made twin ducks in the first two games before turning it around in Bengaluru. After winning the toss and batting first, India were rattled early, losing their first four wickets for 22 runs. On a tricky wicket, Rohit combined with Rinku Singh in the fifth over, the two stitching an unbeaten 190-run stand as India made 212-4 in their 20 overs.
No batter has scored more T20I centuries than Rohit Sharma 🔥#RohitSharma #India #Cricket #T20Is #INDvsAFG pic.twitter.com/DhxAgU9GSs
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) January 17, 2024
Rohit was cautious initially and was batting at 41 off 37 at one point, getting his fifty in 41 balls. After the 15th over, Rohit was on 55 off 47 deliveries with India at 109-4, which is when the two batters turned it around, unleashing some huge shots.
The India skipper scored 66 off his next 22 balls, hitting five sixes as the momentum shifted towards the hosts. He reached his fifth hundred with a four in the 19th over, throwing his bat at a fuller ball over point. He became the first-ever batter in T20I cricket to score five hundreds, overtaking Suryakumar Yadav and Glenn Maxwell, who have four each.
Rohit ended with 121*, the fourth-highest T20I score for India, with his innings containing eight sixes. He now has the most maximums in the format as captain – 90 – overtaking Eoin Morgan’s tally of 86 during his innings.
Rinku remained unbeaten on 68* off 39, as India made 103 in the last five overs.