New Zealand vs India: Rohit misses unique feat and more unnoticed things from second ODI
After the historic Australian tour, the Indian team came to face the New Zealanders. They continued the good run by winning the first ODI against New Zealand quite comfortably. In the second ODI, the Indian captain Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat first. The Bay Oval is a small ground and it is difficult to defend here, but Kohli opted for the challenge.
Like icing on the cake, Indian openers gave them a solid start as both of them added over 150 runs for the first wicket. It was the 14th-century stand between these two in ODI cricket. Although, Rohit missed a well deserved century by 13 runs. After the openers were dismissed, Kohli and lower order chipped in with the 30s and 40s and helped India to post the total of 324 runs.
While chasing this total, New Zealand lost the wickets early including the in-form captain Kane Williamson's wicket in a tricky chase. Once they lost top three, the spin trio made it even more tough for the home side. Kuldeep was a star with the ball as he took a four-wicket haul and New Zealand were bundled out for 234. India eventually took a decisive 2-0 lead.
Here are a few interesting observations from today's action at the Bay Oval.
#1 300 International sixes since 2013
International cricket has seen two versions of Rohit Sharma. One before the year 2013 and the other after Champions Trophy 2013. The 30-year old has been in an amazing form since the tournament.
Whilst Kohli holds most of the current batting records in cricket, the record of hitting the most number of sixers is held by someone else. Yes, the record belongs to non-other than Rohit Sharma. Ever since he was promoted as an opener in white ball cricket, the Mumbai-born has been hitting sixes with consummate ease. The extremely talented lad has all kinds of shots to clear the rope.
Hitman has smashed 300 sixes since 2013 which is 122 more than the second best Martin Guptill, who has 178 sixes. He also broke the record for hitting most sixes in a calendar year in 2017 and interestingly he broke his own record in 2018.
He holds the record of hitting the most number of international sixes against a team as he has hit 89 sixes against Australia, which is more than Chris Gayle’s record of 88 sixes against England. Thus, it is needless to say that, Rohit, by the end of his career, might end up being the most prolific six-hitter in cricket history.