"That run-out of Virat was my mistake" - When Rohit Sharma put behind major lapse to smash record-breaking 264
On this day (November 13) 10 years ago, Rohit Sharma rewrote cricket history by smashing the highest individual score in one-day internationals. He clobbered 264 off 173 balls against Sri Lanka at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata in the fourth ODI of the five-match series. The opening batter slammed 33 fours and nine sixes in his 225-minute knock at a strike rate of 152.60.
Batting first after winning the toss, the Men in Blue put up a 404-5 on the board as Rohit completed dominated the innings. In response, Sri Lanka were all-out for 251 despite skipper Angelo Mathews' 75 off 68 balls as pacer Dhawal Kulkarni starred with figures of 4-34 from his 10 overs.
While India won the game by a comprehensive margin of 153 runs in the end, there was a potentially defining moment during the Indian innings when Virat Kohli was run out for 66 after a mix-up with Rohit. The duo had added 202 runs for the third wicket when Kohli's knock ended against the run of play.
Kohli, who was captaining India in the game, mishit a slog off Mathews in front of long on. The fielder charged in for a catch, but the ball bounced in front of him. He did well to stop the ball from going past him. The fielding effort led to complete confusion between India's two set batters. Eventually, Kohli was run out at the striker's end as he was well short of his crease.
After the game, Rohit acknowledged that he was responsible for the run-out and commented [as quoted by ESPNcricinfo]:
"That run-out of Virat was my mistake. Things like that happened, but not hard feelings there. It was a crucial partnership we were building, and to lose him then was quite frustrating."
On how he overcame the disappointment of losing Kohli at an important stage of India's innings, Rohit replied:
"I kept telling myself to keep on going."
"A lot of memories at Eden Gardens that will remain close to me. This one was really special," he went on to add about his record-breaking knock."
With his innings of 264 against Sri Lanka, Rohit broke Virender Sehwag's (219) record for the highest individual score in ODIs. The latter notched up a double-hundred in Indore against West Indies in December 2011.
Rohit is the only batter with three ODI double-hundreds
Apart from holding the record for the highest individual score in one-dayers, Rohit is the only batter with three ODI double tons. He smashed 209 against Australia in Bengaluru in November 2013 and 208* against Sri Lanka in Mohali in December 2017.
Sachin Tendulkar (200*) was the first player to breach the double-century mark in ODIs. He got there against South Africa in Gwalior in February 2010. Among Indians, Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill have also scored ODI double tons.