Rohit Sharma's top 5 match-winning knocks

Rohit Sharma 1
Rohit won Man of the Match award for his brilliant knock

During that phase in Indian cricket when legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid were retiring, a lot of youngsters were being considered as replacements for these greats. Rohit Sharma, one such young talent, impressed the selectors with his performances in the Ranji Trophy and the Indian Premier League, and made his international debut in 2007 against Ireland.

From coming down to bat in the middle-order, he made his way up to become an opener in 2013 and has since cemented his spot in the team. Although encountering a number of rough patches due to his form over the years, Rohit's contributions to the team's victory on various occasions have overshadowed the shortcomings.

In 2008 Commonwealth Bank series when he put up a 123-run partnership with Tendulkar against Australia, it was obvious that the Mumbaikar is here to stay.

Here are some of the match-winning innings played by the right-hander:


1. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 – India vs Bangladesh, Quarter-final:

Though excluded from the 2011 World Cup winning squad, Rohit made it to the 2015 World Cup team, four years later as by then, he had sealed the opener’s spot. Opening the batting along with Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit's elegant knock during the quarter-finals against Bangladesh is definitely one of his best innings till date.

The 29-year-old had a lucky escape when the umpire called a no-ball after he was caught in the deep on 90, during Rubel Hossain's over. From 60 off 80, he went on to smash 137 off 126 balls and gave India the ticket to the semi-finals.

He constructed a 122-run fourth wicket partnership with Suresh Raina and took India to 302, which is the second highest total in a World Cup knockout game. This resplendent batting on the flat surface at the Melbourne Cricket ground also earned him the Man of the Match award.

2. India’s tour of West Indies, 2011 – 3rd ODI:

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Rohit Sharma got the Man of the Series award for his batting display in the series

In the third ODI at Antigua in 2011, West Indies had given India a target of 226 runs to chase on a bouncy pitch. India's top-order crumbled and the Men in Blue were struggling with 92 runs on the board and six wickets down when Rohit Sharma and Harbhajan Singh batted the team to glory.

Together, they added 88 runs, with Rohit remaining unbeaten on 86 and taking India to a three-wicket victory over the home team. His knock outplayed the Caribbean all-rounder Andre Russell's 92 off 64, and also gave India a 3-0 lead in the series.

Both Rohit and Harbhajan were lauded for playing sensible innings, with Rohit strategically going for one or two runs keeping the required rate in mind instead of going for the big shots. Rohit hit a boundary to take the team through the line.

3. West Indies’ tour of India 2013-2014 – 1st Test:

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Rohit is the 14th Indian to make a century on Test debut

The Mumbai right-hander played a classic innings on his Test debut at his favourite ground – Eden Gardens. West Indies had put up a score of 234 on the board during the first innings of the first Test and India's top-order saw a slump, with the scoreboard reading 83/5.

Rohit entered at number six and played effortlessly, also putting an end to the rough form he had been going through. He became the 14th Indian to score a Test century on his debut.

On the other end was Ravichandran Ashwin, who made a century s himself. Both of them together weaved a wonderful partnership and helped India put up 453 runs on the board. West Innings succumbed to 168 in their second innings, thanks to Mohammed Shami's 5/47, and faced an innings defeat.

Shami's heroics with the ball might have taken the limelight away from Rohit, but his knock was crucial in the victory.

4. IPL 2009 – Deccan Chargers vs Kolkata Knight Riders:

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Rohit Sharma finished the match dramatically with a six

IPL has seen a number of dramatic chases, but this one from Rohit cannot be forgotten. In the second edition of the tournament in 2009, he crafted a remarkable chase for Deccan chargers against Kolkata Knight Riders.

KKR had posted a total of 160 after top performances from Brad Hodge and David Hussey. DC were reduced to 28 for 4 when Rohit stepped in and pulled off a stunner. With four overs left, DC needed 48 runs to win.

The next two overs did not see any boundaries, raising Kolkata's hopes of a victory and left DC needing 21 off the last over. The first ball was hit by Rohit by a four, surprisingly, the delivery was deemed a no-ball as KKR had only three players in the field. Two singles were picked up from the next two deliveries.

The next ball was a full toss from Mashrafe Mortaza, which was smashed over mid-wicket for a massive six by Rohit, followed by a wide one and a couple, leaving five needed off two. The next ball was smashed for a four and the scores were level.

Rohit hooked the last ball for a six over fine-leg and finished the match in a heroic manner.

5. Sri Lanka tour of India 2014 – 4th ODI:

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Rohit’s knock included 33 fours and nine sixes

Rohit joined the league of legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag by slamming a double century in 2013. But he did not stop with that - he went on to hit another one in 2014, this time, a bigger one, 264 off 173 balls against Sri Lanka.

Both the double centuries were for a winning cause. The feat against Sri Lanka put up a massive total of 404 on the board, which is the 15th highest in the history of the game.

He was dropped by Thisara Perera at third man when he was on four and got two extra lives after crossing the 200 mark too. Rohit's stellar innings included a record 33 fours and nine sixes.

Sri Lanka however, succumbed to an embarrassing 251 runs defeat and became victims of the internet trolls, who dubbed this feat as "Rohit Sharma won by 13 runs."

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Edited by Staff Editor