In cricket, records are meant to be broken, and Rohit Sharma, India’s dynamic skipper, did just that on a memorable Wednesday, October 11. With swift and aggressive strokes, he etched his name in the annals of cricket history by hitting the fastest century ever by an Indian batter in the World Cup. This remarkable feat unfolded during India’s intense clash with Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Rohit’s incredible century in just 63 balls is a testament to his extraordinary talent and unyielding spirit.
The World Cup is the grandest stage for one-day international cricket, and Rohit Sharma seized the spotlight with unmatched enthusiasm. On that unforgettable Wednesday, Rohit took the Afghan bowlers to task, reaching his century with sheer brilliance. His milestone came in only 63 balls, making it the fastest World Cup century by an Indian, surpassing all expectations.
While Rohit’s feat is undoubtedly awe-inspiring, it’s essential to look back in time to appreciate the significance of this record. The legendary Kapil Dev set a high standard when he scored a remarkable 72-ball century against Zimbabwe on June 18, 1983, at the Nevill Ground in Tunbridge Wells.
Rohit Sharma’s accomplishments are not limited to just this historic century. He has also become the fourth Indian batter to cross the 1000-run mark in the World Cup. The illustrious trio of Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Sourav Ganguly are the only others to achieve this milestone.
Another Rohit Sharma’s monumental achievement in the 2023 ODI World Cup was his seventh century, making him the leading centurion in the tournament’s history. Moreover, he achieved this feat with the fastest century ever by an Indian batter in a World Cup. Scoring a hundred in just 63 balls, Rohit’s fireworks left fans in awe and opponents dismayed.
Sachin Tendulkar, widely regarded as the “Master Blaster” of cricket, held the previous record with six centuries in 45 matches across multiple World Cups. Rohit Sharma’s remarkable feat of overtaking Tendulkar’s tally in just 19 innings is a testament to his extraordinary talent and consistency.
In the match against Afghanistan, Rohit added another feather to his cap by surpassing Sourav Ganguly’s record for the most runs by an Indian in the World Cup. Rohit needed a mere 28 runs to surpass the former skipper, and he achieved this feat with remarkable ease, solidifying his place in the pantheon of Indian cricket legends.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Rohit Sharma’s incredible performance against Afghanistan was his relentless six-hitting spree. In the first 40 deliveries he faced, Rohit sent the ball soaring over the boundary rope not once or twice but four times. His display of power and precision was awe-inspiring.
As the boundaries continued to rain, Rohit Sharma broke one record after another. During his innings, he shattered Chris Gayle’s record for the most sixes in international cricket. This was a monumental feat, signifying his dominance in the big-hitting world.
Rohit Sharma was breaking records in the international arena and closing in on a milestone in One Day Internationals. Only two batters, Chris Gayle with 331 and Shahid Afridi with 351, have hit more sixes than him in the 50-over format. Rohit’s prowess in sending the ball out of the park was undeniable.
Rohit Sharma added another feather to his cap by achieving the remarkable milestone of completing 1000 runs for India in World Cups. In just 19 innings, he equaled the world record held by Australia’s David Warner. Furthermore, he surpassed Sourav Ganguly’s tally of 1006 runs in World Cups, cementing his place among the top run-scorers in the 50-over tournament.
Rohit Sharma’s journey in ODIs has been extraordinary, and his 31st century in the format propelled him past the illustrious Ricky Ponting, who had scored 30 centuries during his illustrious career. While Ponting’s legacy in ODI cricket is celebrated worldwide, Rohit’s remarkable feat speaks volumes about his consistency and prowess as a batter.
The list of batters with the most centuries in ODIs is a testament to the greatness of these cricketing legends. At the top of the charts is Sachin Tendulkar, the god of cricket, with a staggering 49 centuries to his name. Hot on his heels is Virat Kohli, the current captain of the Indian cricket team, with an impressive 47 centuries. Rohit Sharma joins this elite club, taking the third spot with 31 tons.
Most centuries in ODIs
- Sachin Tendulkar – 49
- Virat Kohli – 47
- Rohit Sharma – 31
MOST SIXES IN INTERNATIONAL CRICKET
- Rohit Sharma – 555 in 453 matches
- Chris Gayle — 553 in 483 matches
- Shahid Afridi – 476 in 524 matches
- Brendon McCullum – 398 in 432 matches
MOST WORLD CUP HUNDREDS (INDIA)
- Rohit Sharma – 7 in 19 matches
- Sachin Tendulkar – 6 in 45 matches
- Sourav Ganguly – 4 in 21 matches
- Shikhar Dhawan – 3 in 10 matches
