Stats: Rohit Sharma scores fifth-highest ODI score in Australia
Rohit Sharma ensured that MS Dhoni’s decision to win the toss and bat first proved to be the right one as the opener smashed an unbeaten 171 against Australia in the first ODI at Perth.
After losing his opening partner early, Rohit put on a double-hundred partnership for the second wicket along with Virat Kohli and helped set the platform for a big score by the visitors, which is also incidentally the highest ODI score by India against Australia in Australia.
His 171* was his fourth ODI score of 150 or more, equalling Chris Gayle and Sanath Jayasuriya. Only Sachin Tendulkar, with 5, has more such scores than Rohit Sharma in ODIs.
In terms of the highest ODI score by a batsman in Australia, Rohit’s effort is the fifth-highest. Chris Gayle’s 215 against Zimbabwe in the 2015 World Cup is the highest score by any batsman in Australia. Gayle’s knock included 16 sixes, which was also a record for most in an ODI in Australia.
In second place is another knock from the 2015 World Cup. This time, it was an Australian, as David Warner smashed 178 against Afghanistan in Perth, which is the only score better than Rohit’s knock at the same ground.
The third and fourth place on this list is also held by Australians. Mark Waugh’s 173 against West Indies at the MCG in 2001 is enough for third place while Adam Gilchrist takes the fourth spot thanks to his 172 against Zimbabwe at Hobart in 2004.
Rohit's knock, which takes fifth place is the only unbeaten knock in the top five and in the end, he was just a couple of hits away from being the second-highest. His 171* included 13 fours and 7 sixes.
Here is a list of the top 10 highest scores by a batsman in an ODI in Australia
| No. | Player | Runs | Opposition | Ground | Year |
| 1 | Chris Gayle (West Indies) | 215 | Zimbabwe | Canberra | 2015 |
| 2 | David Warner (Australia) | 178 | Afghanistan | Perth | 2015 |
| 3 | Mark Waugh (Australia) | 173 | West Indies | Melbourne | 2001 |
| 4 | Adam Gilchrist (Australia) | 172 | Zimbabwe | Hobart | 2004 |
| 5 | Rohit Sharma (India) | 171* | Australia | Perth | 2016 |
| 6 | David Warner (Australia) | 163 | Sri Lanka | Brisbane | 2012 |
| 7 | AB De Villiers (South Africa) | 162 | West Indies | Sydney | 2015 |
| 8 | Shane Watson (Australia) | 161* | England | Melbourne | 2011 |
| 9 | Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka) | 161* | Bangladesh | Melbourne | 2015 |
| 10 | Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka) | 160* | India | Hobart | 2012 |