5 best T20I innings from Rohit Sharma
It wouldn't be an overstatement to say that Rohit Sharma is one of the all-time great white-ball batters. Sharma has been a prolific match-winner for India, especially in T20Is.
Being the highest run-getter in T20 internationals, the 35-year-old has clobbered 3313 runs at an average of 32 and an impressive strike rate of touching 140. Moreover, no other batter has surpassed his feat of four T20I centuries.
Now India's skipper in all formats, Rohit has terrific leadership skills as well. Under his captaincy, India are yet to lose a T20I game.
As Rohit is currently enjoying a much-needed break and won't be part of the upcoming five-match T20I against South Africa, we look at his best five innings in T20I cricket.
#5. 97 off 61 vs Ireland in 2018
Highest 5th best score of a T20I career:-
97 - ROHIT SHARMA
88 - Chris Gayle
82 - Virat Kohli
81 - Mahela Jayawardene
80 - Martin Guptill
79 - Paul Stirling
On this day in 2018, Rohit Sharma scored 97 against Ireland at Dublin, but that's only his 5th best score in T20Is. https://t.co/0QYSGnQALJ
Before their all-format two-month tour to England in 2018, India faced Ireland in a two-game T20I series in Dublin. Led by skipper Virat Kohli, India fielded their strongest XI against the Irish team.
After being put in to bat first in the first T20I, two Indian openers in Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan gave their side a blazing start. While Rohit took his time to settle in, Dhawan imposed himself right from the start.
Soon after, Rohit also joined the party and the two veterans completed their century stand in the 11th over. The two recorded India's second-highest opening partnership in T20Is when India lost their first wicket on 160. While Dhawan departed after a well-made 74 off 45, Rohit continued playing his impressive strokes at the other end.
With the help of eight fours and five maximums, the current India skipper scored 97 in 61 balls. He missed out on a much-deserved century when he got out in the last over. On the back of two striking innings by Rohit and Dhawan, India registered a massive 208-5 on the board.
It proved to be an arduous task for the Irish batters as Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav spun a web around them. The spin twins picked up seven wickets between them as India won the game by 76 runs.
#4. 106 off 66 vs South Africa in 2015
Currently It's India Vs South Africa Series.....So
106 by Rohit Sharma in 2015 is the highest individual score by a player in matches between these two teams.
#12YearsOfHitmanInT20I https://t.co/UTFcw4o2Ll
South Africa's 2015 tour to India began with a three-match T20I series. Despite one T20I being washed out, the visitors won the series 2-0.
The first T20I between the two sides proved to be a high-scoring encounter in Dharamsala. After being put in to bat first, India lost Dhawan early. Rohit joined hands with Virat Kohli to take India to a big score.
The two right-handers stitched together a 138-run stand. While Kohli played just 27 deliveries and made 43, Rohit scored a majestic 106 off 66 balls, smashing 12 fours and 5 sixes. With his maiden T20I century, Rohit became the second Indian to achieve this feat after Suresh Raina.
This hundred from Rohit wasn’t enough as India lost the game in the last over. DP Duminy's brilliant knock of 68* off 34 got the Proteas over the line.