Rohit Sharma's legacy as a colossal figure in limited-overs cricket is etched in stone. The former India captain, who retired from T20Is after the 2024 World Cup triumph, boasts unparalleled records in both ODI and T20I formats. He remains the only batter with three ODI double hundreds and held the record for most T20I centuries (five) for a significant period. His ability to clear the ropes is legendary, being the first to hit over 200 sixes in T20Is, finishing with 205.
The Day of Carnage in Indore
Eight years ago, on December 22, 2017, Rohit Sharma produced a breathtaking display of power-hitting that left the Sri Lankan team shell-shocked. Fresh from a dominant ODI series where he had smashed a double century, Rohit carried his form into the T20I decider at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.
Sri Lanka's captain, Thisara Perera, won the toss and opted to field, a decision he would soon regret. Opening the innings with KL Rahul, Rohit launched a brutal assault from the outset. India raced to 59/0 after the powerplay, setting the stage for something special.
Rohit reached his fifty in a blistering 23 balls. He then shifted into an even higher gear, treating the bowlers with utter disdain. In a stunning 12-ball passage after his fifty, he hammered five more sixes and four boundaries to reach his hundred off just 35 balls. This equalled the then-world record for the fastest T20I century, set by South Africa's David Miller merely two months prior.
Breaking Records and Setting a Mammoth Total
With this innings, Rohit broke KL Rahul's then-Indian record of a 46-ball hundred. His partnership with Rahul was pure fireworks, the duo adding 165 runs in just 12.4 overs. Rohit's innings finally ended at a majestic 118 runs off 43 balls, an innings studded with 12 fours, 10 sixes, and a staggering strike rate of 274.4.
Rahul continued the momentum, scoring 89 off 49 balls, propelling India to a massive total of 260 for 5 in their 20 overs. The target of 261 was always going to be a monumental challenge for the visitors.
Sri Lanka's Brave Chase and India's Spin Twist
Sri Lanka, to their credit, started the chase with positive intent. Openers Niroshan Dickwella and Upul Tharanga provided a brisk start, and a 109-run second-wicket stand between Tharanga (47) and Kusal Perera (77) even raised hopes of an improbable upset.
However, the Indian spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav engineered a dramatic collapse. From a comfortable position of 145 for 1, Sri Lanka lost four wickets for just 16 runs in the space of 10 balls. Chahal and Kuldeep shared seven wickets between them, derailing the chase completely. Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 172 in the 18th over, handing India a comprehensive 88-run victory.
The Legacy of a T20I Giant
That 35-ball century was Rohit's second in T20Is. He would go on to score three more, finishing his career with a then-record 4231 runs in 159 matches. His long-time teammate Virat Kohli also retired from T20Is after the 2024 World Cup, finishing with 4188 runs. Recently, Pakistan's Babar Azam surpassed Rohit's run tally to become the leading scorer in the format.
Nevertheless, Rohit Sharma's innings in Indore remains an iconic chapter in T20I history. It perfectly encapsulated his 'Hitman' persona – a blend of sublime timing, immense power, and an insatiable appetite for big scores that thrilled fans for over a decade and cemented his status as a limited-overs legend.
