WI vs IND: 2nd T20I – Records galore for Rohit Sharma
A scrappy effort from both India and the West Indies made the first T20I in Florida quite a drab affair. But Rohit Sharma’s sizzling fifty ensured there was enough life in the second, which India ultimately won by 22 runs. After smashing a record five hundreds in the 2019 World Cup, Sharma brought his fine touch to Lauderhill, where both teams faced off twice in less than 24 hours. In the first match, his quickfire 24 (two fours, two sixes) set the tone for a low-scoring chase. Just as his innings was gathering steam, Sharma succumbed to his weakness against Sunil Narine’s off-spin.
In the second game, India were batting first. This time, Sharma put a huge price on his wicket from the get-go. On the first ball of the innings, he whipped Oshane Thomas towards fine leg for a four. Sheldon Cottrell kept him in check in his first over, but that didn’t last long. In the sixth over, Sharma was flicking and sweeping Keemo Paul for fun. His 51-ball 67 included six fours and three sixes and helped India post a respectable 167 on the board.
On Sunday, Sharma went on a record-breaking spree. Here are some records the ‘Hitman’ shattered:
Most T20I runs by any batsman
With 2422 runs in 88 innings of the 96 T20 internationals he’s played, Sharma is the leading run-scorer in the shortest format of the game. He has done so at a brilliant strike rate of 136.91 and is also the highest run-getter for India in T20Is. Captain Virat Kohli trails in second place with 2310 runs.
Most sixes in T20 internationals
Rohit Sharma has now hit the most sixes in T20Is ?? pic.twitter.com/jnYyfFVfFR
— ICC (@ICC) August 4, 2019
West Indies’ explosive batsman Chris Gayle held the record for hitting the most sixes in T20I cricket (105). In the second T20I against Gayle’s own team on Sunday, Sharma went past the Universe Boss by getting to 107 sixes. New Zealand’s Martin Guptill comes a close third with 103.
Most 50+ scores in T20Is
With his scintillating 67 in the second T20I, Sharma registered his 21st 50-plus score, the most by any batsman in the world. He is just three short of the most fifties, behind Virat Kohli (20).
Most T20I runs against West Indies
Rohit Sharma loves facing the Windies and it’s no surprise that he has the most T20I runs against them. With 425 runs in 12 matches, he leads the batting charts. England’s Alex Hales (423 runs) has scored the second-most number of runs against the West Indies.
First opener to 2000 runs in T20Is
With 2022 runs, Sharma also became the first opening batsman in world cricket to cross the 2000-run mark in T20I cricket.
Most T20I centuries in world cricket
The 32-year-old swashbuckling opener is the first and only batsman in world cricket to have registered four T20I tons. New Zealand batsman Colin Munro is one hundred short of equalling Sharma’s record.
