Best of the best: Rohit Sharma's top 5 innings in T20Is

Rohit Sharma oozes batting talent. He is one of the most talented batsmen India has ever produced. When he is on song, it seems as though he has so much time to play his shots as he caresses the ball with impeccable timing.

But for a player of his class, Rohit had a frustrating first six years in international cricket as he failed to nail down a permanent spot in the team. But finally, in 2013, it all came together when he was promoted to open the batting in limited-overs cricket, which turned out to be a master-stroke as he started getting the consistency the cricketing world was hoping for.

He has scored two ODI double hundreds, a T20 International hundred and a couple of Test hundreds (a feat which only Chris Gayle and Martin Guptill have achieved).

Even though Rohit hasn’t yet gone on to become a permanent and consistent Test batsman, he is one of the best players in white-ball cricket at the moment. In T20Is, he has scored over 1300 runs (second-most by an Indian in T20Is). The Mumbai Indians captain has made some notable and important contributions in T20Is. Let’s have a look at the top five knocks by Rohit Sharma in T20Is.

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#5 62(28) vs West Indies, Lauderhill – 2016

In a hurriedly arranged T20I series, India were visiting the USA for the first time to play an international game. In what turned out to be a historic spectacle, the fans were treated to a run-fest. Most runs, most sixes, two T20I centuries and power hitting – all in one game.

After being set a target of 246, India had to create history if they had to chase it down. India got off to a decent start but lost their way as they were reduced to 48/2 in the 5th over, even the chase master, Virat Kohli, fell cheaply.

But then, Rohit Sharma took the mantle on his shoulder and scored a brilliant 28-ball 62 before holing out in the 12th over. But when he fell, Rohit had ensured India’s run-rate was in the mid-11s (he got out after adding 89 with KL Rahul in 7 overs).

Not many people remember Rohit’s contribution of 62 as it was overshadowed by a splendid 110 by KL Rahul. But it was Rohit’s 62 that gave India much-needed momentum in the innings, something which was carried through by Rahul and eventually helped India get close and fall short by 1 run.

#4 30(16) vs Pakistan, Johannesburg – 2007

In front of a packed Wanders crowd, India and Pakistan played one of the best finals of an ICC event. And it was only five runs that separated the two teams as India rejoiced and Pakistan were heart-broken.

But what were the performances of the final that we remember? Gambhir’s 72, Gul’s 3-wicket burst, Irfan’s Man of the Match performance, Misbah's fighting knock and Joginder’s final over.

But there was one more quiet-but-significant performance that came from the bat of Rohit Sharma. The Mumbai-batsman was in decent form in the T20 World Cup as he had scored 58 runs without being dismissed in the two innings he batted (which included a 50).

But in the final, a 20-year old Rohit Sharma walked out to bat with his team in trouble – 111/4 in the 16th over and then 130/5 in 18 overs. India needed a decent finish with some quick runs and Rohit provided a big finish as India ended at 157/5.

Rohit scored 30 of just 16 deliveries to not only give India the momentum going into the change room, but also the cushion of the extra 10 runs. And this would be one of the most underrated knocks that Rohit Sharma has ever played.

#3 106(66) vs South Africa, Dharamsala – 2015

Rohit Sharma scored his first T20I hundred in Dharmasala

After losing Dhawan early, Rohit Sharma joined hands with Virat Kohli to take India to a big score after being put into bat.

Rohit Sharma scored a majestic 106 off 66 balls, smashing 12 fours and 5 sixes. He cut well and pulled exceptionally as South Africa attacked him with short stuff. He was severe against anything loose.

He became the 15th centurion in T20 internationals and the 2nd Indian to score a T20I hundred. He was largely responsible for India’s total of 199 as after he got out, the hosts lost momentum and could score only 41 runs in the last five overs.

This hundred from Rohit wasn’t enough as India lost the game in the last over and Duminy’s brilliant knock of 68 got the Proteas over the line.

#2 83(56) vs Bangladesh, Dhaka - 2016

Rohit Sharma made full use of the reprieve he got.

In the 1st game of the Asia Cup in 2016, India were put into bat on a green pitch and with four pacers, Bangladesh made it tougher for the Indian batsman to get going. With India tottering at 42/3 in 8 overs and Rohit Sharma taking his time, he became the key for India to get to a respectable total.

He took his time at the start getting accustomed to the conditions but cashed in once he got his eye in. Yes, he was dropped relatively early in his innings i.e. he was batting on 21 off 28 balls at that stage.

But he cut loose after that scoring 62 off the next 27 deliveries, hammering the Bangladeshi bowlers all around the park. Rohit’s innings of 83 (which contributed 50% to India’s total) gave India the impetus as they scored 114 in the last 10 overs and finished with 166 runs on board - which helped them win the game as well.

#1 50(40) vs South Africa, Durban - 2007

Going into a must-win game in the T20 World Cup in 2007, India were rocked early with the withdrawal of Yuvraj Singh, who set the stage on fire hitting six sixes in the previous game against England. On a greenish pitch and with rain around, India opted to bat first to only find themselves in trouble at 33/3 in 5 overs and then 61/4 in the 11th over.

A 20-year old Rohit Sharma, who debuted in the game against England (didn’t get to bat) was out to play his first innings. Giving him company was the skipper MS Dhoni. And these two steadied the ship before shifting gears. Rohit Sharma, in particular, was impressive as he scored 50 off 40 balls to help India finish with 153/5 at the end of 20 overs.

Some of the shots Rohit played were stupendous – making room and lofting the ball cover, flicking it through mid-wicket and finishing the innings with a glorious six over square-leg.

That 50 and Dhoni’s 45 helped India finish with a par score of 153/5, which helped them to advance to the semi-finals by knocking the hosts, South Africa, out of the tournament.