Rohit Sharma's double ton brings Diwali-eve cheer

Bangalore, Nov 2 (IANS) India’s Rohit Sharma wrote himself into the record books Saturday, becoming only the third cricketer after compatriots Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag to score a double century in ODIs.

Sharma struck 209 off 158 balls against Australia in the seventh and the final ODI at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

It was studded with 12 fours and 16 sixes. It was a record for most sixes in an innings.

Tendulkar was the first cricketer to touch the 200 landmark when he hit 200 not out against South Africa in Gwalior, February 2010.

In December 2011, Sehwag scored 219 against the West Indies in Indore becoming the highest individual scorer in ODI cricket.

Rohit Sharma has been in and out of the Indian team but his fortunes have turned around dramatically since he has started opening. Along with Shikhar Dhawan, the Mumbai right-hander has cemented the opening slot in ODIs.

Sharma has scored 589 runs in his last 10 innings, averaging 84.14.

Before the start of this match, he had scored 2,840 runs in 107 matches at an average of 34.63. The 26-year-old is yet to make his Test debut.