Rohit Sharma once again turned a painful memory into a repeat nightmare for Sri Lanka when he produced a breathtaking third ODI double century on December 13, 2017. The stylish Indian opener, who had earlier stunned the same opposition with a record-breaking 264 in Kolkata in 2014, delivered another masterclass in Mohali, reaffirming his reputation as one of the finest white-ball batters of his generation.

Already the only player in ODI history to score two double hundreds, Rohit elevated his legacy further with an unbeaten 208 off just 153 balls. His innings, laced with 13 fours and 12 towering sixes, was a perfect blend of timing, placement, and controlled aggression. With this knock, Rohit firmly stamped his authority at the very top of the ODI format, setting a benchmark that remains untouched.

Leading the side as the stand-in captain in the absence of Virat Kohli, Rohit showcased maturity and clarity in his approach. After India suffered a setback in the series opener at Dharamshala, the onus was on him to steer the team back, and he did so with remarkable composure. He began cautiously, reading the pitch and conditions before gradually shifting gears and unleashing his full range of strokes.

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Rohit Sharma built the innings patiently through two vital partnerships. The opening stand with Shikhar Dhawan, who contributed a fluent 68, laid a solid foundation, while his 88-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer added stability in the middle overs. Once Dhawan was dismissed, Rohit took complete control, allowing the young Iyer to watch from the other end as he dismantled the Sri Lankan bowling attack.

🗓️ #OnThisDay in 2017@ImRo45 registered his third double hundred in ODIs – an unbeaten 2⃣0⃣8⃣, creaming 1⃣3⃣ fours & 1⃣2⃣ sixes. 💪 🔝 #TeamIndia

Relive that scintillating knock against Sri Lanka 📽️👇

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 13, 2021

The Indian skipper was particularly ruthless against pacer Nuwan Pradeep, who endured a forgettable outing, conceding 106 runs without a wicket. Despite the heavy hitting, Rohit ensured he stayed unbeaten, guiding India to a mammoth 392 for 4 in their allotted 50 overs.

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Sri Lanka never recovered in the chase, folding under scoreboard pressure despite a fighting unbeaten century from Angelo Mathews. India cruised to a dominant 141-run victory and later sealed the series 2-1. Years later, Rohit’s leadership journey reached new heights as he guided India to the 2023 ODI World Cup final and lifted ICC titles at the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy.