Holkar Stadium, the new fortress for Team India

Ind vs SL 2nd T20: With Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul striking a massive stand of 165 runs for the first wicket, Team India posted a humongous 260/5 on the board in the 2nd T20I against Sri Lanka. Skipper Rohit’s breathtaking stroke play, helped India registered an 88-run victory at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.

His record century helped the Men in Blue post their highest ever T20I score. This is also the joint second highest after Australia’s 263 against the Lankans. Rohit’s 118 is also the highest T20I score by an Indian. He got to the century mark in 35 balls, which is itself a record by an Indian.

Rohit now holds the joint record of the fastest T20I century. David Miller is the other one, he smacked an outstanding hundred against Bangladesh off 35 deliveries. KL Rahul, on the other hand, played an exemplifying inning. He supported the skipper and scored the odd boundary and hit a six whenever he was at the crease. His 89 of 49 included 8 massive sixes and five fours.

The new fortress for Team India

This stadium in Indore is now the venue where Team India scored its highest T20I and ODI scores. Yes, it is the same venue where India’s beloved opener, the Nawab of Najafgargh – Sehwag got to his double century in ODIs. Sehwag became the first human to score a double century after the god of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar in ODIs. He hit 219 against West Indies which helped India post its highest ODI score, 418/5. Since that brilliant and historic knock in 2011, 418 has been India’s highest score in ODI cricket.

Another on to the similarities is that both Rohit and Sehwag were captaining the team in the absence of their regular skippers. While Rohit and Rahul added 165 runs for the first wicket today, Sehwag and Gambhir had a stand worth 176 back then. Sehwag’s knock included 35 fours and 7 sixes while Rohit smacked the Lankans for 10 sixes and 12 fours.

The most interesting aspect is that Team India has won all the matches played at the Holkar Stadium. With today’s victory against Sri Lanka, the hosts now hold 7 victories in as many games played at this venue. Also, they earned the number 1 spot in Test cricket playing at this very ground. They beat the Kiwis by 320 runs in a Test in September 2016. With all these records and trivia, Holkar is certainly a fortress for the Men in Blue.