Rohit Sharma's top 5 match-winning knocks
During that phase in Indian cricket when legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid were retiring, a lot of youngsters were being considered as replacements for these greats. Rohit Sharma, one such young talent, impressed the selectors with his performances in the Ranji Trophy and the Indian Premier League, and made his international debut in 2007 against Ireland.
From coming down to bat in the middle-order, he made his way up to become an opener in 2013 and has since cemented his spot in the team. Although encountering a number of rough patches due to his form over the years, Rohit's contributions to the team's victory on various occasions have overshadowed the shortcomings.
In 2008 Commonwealth Bank series when he put up a 123-run partnership with Tendulkar against Australia, it was obvious that the Mumbaikar is here to stay.
Here are some of the match-winning innings played by the right-hander:
1. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 – India vs Bangladesh, Quarter-final:
Though excluded from the 2011 World Cup winning squad, Rohit made it to the 2015 World Cup team, four years later as by then, he had sealed the opener’s spot. Opening the batting along with Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit's elegant knock during the quarter-finals against Bangladesh is definitely one of his best innings till date.
The 29-year-old had a lucky escape when the umpire called a no-ball after he was caught in the deep on 90, during Rubel Hossain's over. From 60 off 80, he went on to smash 137 off 126 balls and gave India the ticket to the semi-finals.
He constructed a 122-run fourth wicket partnership with Suresh Raina and took India to 302, which is the second highest total in a World Cup knockout game. This resplendent batting on the flat surface at the Melbourne Cricket ground also earned him the Man of the Match award.