While the Indian cricket team was hugely under pressure at the chasing down 289 runs target against the hosts Australia during the Sydney ODI on Saturday (12 January), the Indian ODI vice-captain and opener Rohit Sharma played an incredible century knock.
Chasing down the challenging total in the first ODI of three-match ODI series, India faced the huge struggling period in the beginning after losing first three wickets in just four runs on the board. While the opener Shikhar Dhawan was dismissed for a golden duck, the skipper Virat Kohli (3) and the no.4 batsman Ambati Rayudu (0) followed Dhawan soon. Since then, another opener Rohit Sharma took the charge of Indian innings along with MS Dhoni who just completed his 10,000 ODI runs for India after opening his account in this game.
Also read: MS Dhoni Becomes Fifth Indian To Score 10,000 ODI Runs
Sharma and Dhoni both played patiently to keep the visiting side into the game for a longer period. They had a crucial 137-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Rohit played a magnificent knock a completed his half-century in 62 balls with the help of 2 fours and 3 sixes.
After completing his half-century, Sharma played more powerfully. Though Dhoni was dismissed on 51 runs (96 balls) after which the visiting side was losing their wickets in regular intervals, Sharma was playing hard-fought innings to make the final attempt. The right-handed opening batsman completed his 22nd century in 110 balls.
Also watch: MS Dhoni Almost Got The DRS Wrong
Before losing his wicket, Sharma carried his innings to 133 runs off 129 balls with the help of 10 fours and 6 sixes. The lone warrior in that battle finally lost his wicket in the 46th over when he tried to hit a six over midwicket against Marcus Stoinis’ slower delivery but he was caught out at deep midwicket by Glenn Maxwell. It ended the hope Indian cricket team in that game as the visiting side scored 254/9 at the end of 50 overs.
Also watch: Rohit Sharma Takes A Sharp Reflex Catch
Earlier in that game, Australia set the 289 runs target for the visiting side after winning the toss. Australian managed to score 288/5 at the end of first 50 overs of the match. After both their openers Alex Carey (24 runs) and Aaron Finch (6 runs) fell at early, Usman Khawaja (59 runs), Shaun Marsh (54 runs) and Peter Handscomb (73 runs) played 50+ knocks to secure a good total. Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell finished that innings very well as they remained unbeaten on 47 runs (43 balls) and 11 runs (5 balls) respectively.
Also read: Bhuvneshwar Kumar Becomes Fourth Slowest Bowler To Take 100 ODI Wickets
Among the Indian bowlers, the pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and the left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav bagged two wickets each while another left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja claimed the other wicket of that innings.
Also watch: Mohammed Shami Takes A Brilliant Diving Catch
Here are some Twitter reactions:
Really classy century from Rohit Sharma. You can say that about most of his batting but it has been a treat to watch this.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 12, 2019
This has been a top innings from Rohit. But India will need something special to pull this one off !
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 12, 2019
Rohit looking a little spent…physically. Seems like a mighty innings is nearing its close. #AusvInd
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 12, 2019
Marvellous century by Rohit, but in the absence of support from the top order barring Dhoni, this was always going to be a tough target. Credit to Aussies, particularly Richardson, for pulling off an upset
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/RKSD3Ro45/status/1084034134291271680
This is the 6th instance when #RohitSharma scored a hundred and 🇮🇳have lost the game. #AUSvIND
— Akhil Gupta 🏏 (@Guptastats92) January 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/VikrantPandey_7/status/1084028527752560640
I thought today #RohitSharma will Dedicate his MOM award to his daughter.. 😟😟
Hard luck and Well played @ImRo45 👌👍— GoKuL (@simply_gokul) January 12, 2019
One of the Best Innings @ImRo45 has Played,Under pressure and Bringing India back to the Game.
Showing his Maturity,Patience and Leadership Quality,
Great Stuff from The HITMAN.
India has lost the Match but Rohit has Won Our Hearts❤ 😘 @BCCI#Rohit #RohitSharma #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/V44ZwBQkhC— C.R.Arunachalam (@CRArunachalam18) January 12, 2019
Yet lots of positives another brilliant 💯 from #RohitSharma and a gritty knock from #MsDhoni after losing 3 early wickets
— Tanmay Mishra™ (@tmishra22) January 12, 2019
As expected he had scored a much need outstanding 100 @ImRo45 @mipaltan @BCCI #RohitSharma @TheCricketGirll @Lil_MissTrolls pic.twitter.com/cDxsyCON7x
— Nani Prashanth (@naniprashanth07) January 12, 2019
#RohitSharma looks sooooo tired ..india might lose this match..
But Australian's will remember the Indian ROHIT SHARMA for the long time.. pic.twitter.com/gOroidSIhN— ραρρυ мαηι (@paapumani) January 12, 2019
Bigg Innings.. But India unlucky for this time #RohitSharma gone for 133 runs…@ImRo45 @BCCI @mipaltan pic.twitter.com/2b6kGiznrJ
— Billa Charles 45 (@billacharles) January 12, 2019
Century For Hitman😎 @ImRo45
– 29th Century
– 22nd Odi Century
– 7th Odi Century vs Aus
– 5th Odi Century In Aus
– 10th Odi Century While Chasing
– 14th Century at Outside Home
– 24th Century as Opener
– 20th Odi Century as Opener
– 1st Century In 2019#RohitSharma #AUSvIND— Rohith P (@iamroh45) January 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/Arth_Ro45/status/1084030771256385536
https://twitter.com/TrhtvOfficial/status/1084030694425190403
