Standing records never stood a chance in front of Rohit Sharma on Wednesday at the Cricket World Cup as India skipper smashed a magical century and led his side to a comfortable eight wicket win over Afghanistan in Delhi.
Rohit smashed 12 fours and five sixes on his way to the fastest century for an Indian batsman in a World Cup game. He surpassed Chris Gayle’s record for the most number of sixes in international cricket (three formats combined).
Gayle had hit 553 in his career while Rohit now has 556 sixes to his name and the Indian batter managed to pass the West Indies opener in almost 80 fewer innings across formats (472).
“When I started playing the Game I never thought that I would be able to hit sixes. Leave alone that many sixes. There is a lot of work that has gone on over the years. I am quite happy with the work I have done in so many years,” Rohit said on the BCCI.tv.
“I am the sort of person I will not be satisfied with. I want to continue to do what I have been doing. My focus will be on continuing to do what I do. But yeah, it’s a small little happy moment for me,” he added.
The 36-year-old also mentioned that he has taken a leaf out of Universe Boss Gayle’s book.
“Universe Boss is Universe boss. I have taken a leaf out of his book. Over the years, we have seen him. He is such a six-hitting machine, wherever he plays. We wear the same jersey No 45 and No 45 has done it. I am sure he will be happy about it,” said Rohit.
It was Rohit’s seventh World Cup hundred — the most by an Indian batsman — and his 31st in ODIs.
With this, Sharma also overtook Ricky Ponting in third place in the total ODI century list. Only Kohli (47) and Tendulkar (49) stand above him after the Delhi knock.
