3 records broken by Rohit Sharma in 2019

2019 has been a year for Rohit Sharma in many ways. The Indian opener had a dream run throughout the year in possibly every format of the game.

His success was not limited to any specific format. Rohit was not only at the heart of India's success in the ODIs, but the Hitman even set the stage on fire in Tests. He grabbed the opportunity to open in the red-ball format with both hands and scored twin centuries on his debut as an opener. He even racked up a double ton against South Africa to go past his previous personal best of 177 in Test cricket.

Rohit finished with most ODI runs this year, scoring 1490 runs at an impressive average of 57.30. He registered seven centuries to mark an end to a special year in international cricket with the bat.

With an enormous amount of success that came Rohit’s way in 2019, there were a few records that the 32-year-old created during the year. Here’s a look at 3 records broken by Rohit in 2019:

#3 First batsman to hit five centuries in a World Cup edition

Rohit in 2019 World Cup

2019 was indeed expected to be special due to the much-anticipated World Cup in England and Wales. And for India, a lot rested upon the shoulders of Rohit to help the Men in Blue go far in the tournament. Being the vice-captain of the side, Rohit didn’t disappoint as he led the charge with five centuries in the entire tournament.

Also see – World Test Championship Schedule

Rohit scored centuries against South Africa, Pakistan, England, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. With his stupendous run in the World Cup, Rohit became the first-ever batsman to register five hundreds in a single edition of the World Cup. He surpassed Kumar Sangakkara’s record of scoring four centuries in 2015, to create history in the ICC World Cup 2019.

#2 First Indian to go past 400 sixes in International cricket

He is the only Indian to smash 400+ sixes in international cricket

There’s no denying the fact that Rohit has always been regarded as someone who loves to play his shots. He’s an attacking player who can torment bowling attacks at will. His kind of game has allowed him to succeed as an opener for such a long time in the Indian team.

He can take his time in the beginning and possesses all the shots in his armoury to make up for it later in the innings. Rohit had a successful year as he registered most sixes in international cricket this year. He even took his tally of sixes beyond the 400-mark to become the first Indian to claim this feat.

He currently has 410 sixes to his name, with 78 of those hit in 2019. He also became the first batsman to hit more than 75 sixes in a calendar year.

#1 Most runs in a calendar year as an opener

Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul

Rohit registered yet another landmark while batting in his last international appearance in 2019. In India’s third ODI against West Indies, Rohit went past Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya’s tally for most runs in a calendar year as an opening batsman. He broke the 22-year record for most runs by an opener in 2019.

Jayasuriya scored 2387 runs as opener in 1997, while Rohit registered 2442 runs across all formats to become the most successful opener in a span of 12 months. This meant another feather to his cap as Rohit finished the year with a bang. He was also the Man of the Series against the West Indies for scoring most runs in the series.

Rohit Sharma's great run of form continues as he notches up yet another FIFTY in ODIs.Live - https://t.co/kK8v4xbyB7 #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/GLNdxFz9Hq

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 22, 2019

His highest score of 159 in ODIs this year in Visakhapatnam meant that the opener continued his dominance in registering the highest individual score for India for the seventh consecutive time in ODIs.