On this day: Rohit Sharma scores his 5th century in 2019 World Cup
6th July 2019 is a date that will be etched in the minds of every Rohit Sharma fan. For, it was on this date that Indian batting colossus Rohit Sharma created history and became the first and only batsman to plunder a staggering 5 centuries in a single World Cup event. Kumar Sangakkara had scored 4 centuries in the 2015 World Cup, but the ‘Hitman’ accomplished an unprecedented feat to occupy an exalted pedestal.
The encounter
On this historic day, Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat first. Even though they were reduced to 55/4, the experienced Angelo Mathews stood up for the Sri Lankan side when they were in troubled waters. The right-hander scored a classy 113 off 128 deliveries as Sri Lanka posted a challenging total of 264/7 on the board.
For India, Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers. In the 10 overs that he bowled, the right arm pacer scalped 3 wickets and gave away only 37 runs.
The Indian openers, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul absolutely decimated the Sri Lankan bowling attack. The duo put on a colossal stand of 189 runs to reduce the match to a no contest. While Sharma scored a 94-ball 103, Rahul helped himself to 111 off 118 deliveries.
Skipper Virat Kohli then applied the finishing touches that were needed and scored a sedate 34* off 41 deliveries. And in the end, India cantered past the target set by Sri Lanka with 7 wickets to spare. For Sri Lanka, Lasith Malinga, Kasun Rajitha and Isuru Udana scalped a wicket each.
Rohit Sharma produced an absolutely ravishing performance in the 2019 World Cup. In the 9 innings that he played, Sharma scored a staggering 648 runs at an average of 81.00. He also scored 5 centuries and a half-century as well in the tournament. Sharma is the second Indian batsman after Sachin Tendulkar (673 runs) to aggregate more than 600 runs in a single World Cup tournament.
