On This Day in 2023: Rohit Sharma smashed 86 off 63 balls in the India vs Pakistan World Cup match in Ahmedabad
Rohit Sharma led from the front during India's memorable 2023 ODI World Cup campaign at home, which unfortunately culminated with a loss to Australia in the final. Although the Men in Blue finished as runners-up, the ICC event will be remembered for Rohit's exploits with the willow at the top of the order.
Rohit was the second-leading run-getter in the tournament, hammering 597 runs from 11 innings at an average of 54.27 and an exceptional strike rate of 125.95. The right-handed batter slammed 66 fours and 31 sixes during the 2023 World Cup, hitting one hundred and three half-centuries.
One of the Indian captain's standout knocks during the tournament came in the high-voltage clash against Pakistan Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 14, 2023. Chasing 192, Rohit ensured that the Men in Blue cruised home with 117 balls to spare as the hosts won the game by seven wickets.
Even as India lost Shubman Gill (16) and Virat Kohli (16), the skipper clobbered 86 off only 63 balls, whacking six fours and as many sixes in his innings, which came at a strike rate of 136.50. The aggressive opener added 77 runs for the third wicket with Shreyas Iyer, who contributed 53* off 62 balls.
Rohit began India's chase by whipping the first ball from Shaheen Afridi to deep square leg for four. The first ball of the seventh over by the same bowler was pulled over deep backward square leg for the first maximum of the match. He completed 300 ODI sixes by launching Haris Rauf over mid-on in the ninth over. Another maximum followed as a slower ball was thumped over cover.
The Indian captain reached a 36-ball fifty by placing the first ball of the 14th over from Shadab Khan to long-on. He raced to 80 with a six and four off the Pakistan leg-spinner in the 20th over. The batter missed out on a hundred, miscuing a slower ball from Afridi to midwicket.
Rohit led from the front in the 2024 T20 World Cup as well
While India failed to win the 2023 ODI World Cup at home, Rohit put the disappointment behind him and led India to glory in the 2024 T20 World Cup. The 37-year-old was India's leading run-getter (and second-leading overall) in the tournament held in the West Indies and the United States.
In eight innings, the Men in Blue skipper smashed 275 runs at an average of 36.71 and a strike rate of 156.71. His best of 92 came off 41 balls against Australia in the Super 8 match in St Lucia. The right-hander struck seven fours and eight sixes before being bowled by Mitchell Starc.