Twitterati go in a frenzy after Rohit Sharma smashes third ODI double

It was carnage of the highest order at Mohali when team India locked horns with Sri Lanka in the second ODI. After having faced massive embarrassment in the first ODI at Dharamsala, the hosts were under pressure for the first time against this opposition in the last three months. More importantly, skipper Rohit Sharma was under pressure to get his act right.

It was a nightmare debut as captain for him and had to make a statement in the second ODI. And look, how the ‘hitman’ managed to do it. Rohit Sharma built his innings in a crescendo – a trademark style of this Mumbai lad whenever he hits a big one. Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan opened the innings with the track having something on offer for the seamers.

The islanders fancied their chances, or perhaps, hoped for a deja vu from Dharamsala. Much to their disappointment, the Indian openers managed to see the new ball through and ended up mustering 115 runs for the opening stand. Even after Shikhar perished for 68, Rohit stood firm ground with Shreyas Iyer joining him.

While Dhawan was at the crease, Rohit took his time to settle his sights on the ball. Once Dhawan perished, Rohit took the role of the aggressor. He went on to score his maiden ton as the captain of the Indian team in just 115 deliveries with 9 fours and a six. Meanwhile, Iyer also went past his maiden ODI fifty.

Well, as someone mentioned on the social media, ‘Mumbai had conquered Mohali’. The two Mumbai batsmen added 213 runs for the second wicket. Iyer was unlucky to have missed out on his maiden ODI ton as he holed out in the deep after scoring 88. But the eyes were on Rohit Sharma. The hitman inched towards his third double ton in the format!

It was only a matter of time that the ton arrived. Rohit reached the double ton in just 151 deliveries – the second hundred coming in only 36 deliveries. He clobbered 13 fours and 11 sixes when he reached the milestone. By the end of 40 overs, he was on 101. The fans just could not believe what they had seen! Team India finished with 392/4 in their fifty overs as Rohit finished with an unbeaten 208 off just 153 deliveries with 13 fours and 12 sixes.

Here is how the Twitterati reacted to the herculean hitman knock:

@ImRo45 ??? wow weeeeee!!!

— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) December 13, 2017

Absolutely unbelievable batting by @ImRo45 …take a bow skipper..

— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) December 13, 2017

Wow @ImRo45 ! What a serious knock. #INDvSL

— Martin Guptill (@Martyguptill) December 13, 2017

Most Sixes in a calendar year in Odis
AB de Villiers: 58 Sixes in 18 inns (2015)
Shahid Afridi: 48 Sixes in 36 inns (2002)
Rohit Sharma: 45* Sixes in 20 inns (2017)
Shane Watson: 42 Sixes in 22 inns (2011)
Martin Guptil : 42 Sixes in 32 inns (2015)

— Jasveer Singh Kharra (@imjsk27) December 13, 2017

Fans: Team India can't perform Virat Kohli.

Rohit Sharma: Let the fun begins.#INDvSL

— Sunil- The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) December 13, 2017

Of all the 2.0's, Rohit Sharma 2.00* is the greatest blockbuster.

It all started at this same place – Mohali. Asked to open the batting vs England in 2013. Different player from there. One of the several masterstrokes from MS!

— Ravi Maestri (@ravimaestri) December 13, 2017

Rohit Sharma today:

0-50 runs: 65 balls (5×4)
51-100 runs: 50 balls (4×4, 1×6)
101-150 runs: 17 balls (1×4, 6×6)
151-200 runs: 18 balls (3×4, 4×6)

208 runs. 153 balls. 13 4s. 12 6s. One Rohit Sharma.#INDvsSL

— Cricout (@Cricout) December 13, 2017

⚡️⚡️ TWO HUNDRED! ⚡️⚡️@ImRo45 leads from the front as Team India decimates the Sri Lanka bowling attack.
?? sets a mammoth 393 as a target for ?? in this second ODI.#INDvsSL #HallaBol #Cricket #ODI

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) December 13, 2017

Rohit Sharma's chances of making a double-hundred in ODIs when he gets a 100 – 18.75%; others – 0.25% #INDvSL

— Shiva J (@Shiva_cricinfo) December 13, 2017

Rohit Sharma- The Bradman of ODIs…… 😛

— Gappistan Radio (@GappistanRadio) December 13, 2017

A third double for Rohit. When the conditions are in his favour, he is really quite unmatched

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 13, 2017

Looks like India had a couple of good trainings after the last game ?

— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) December 13, 2017

3rd ODI double for @ImRo45 . #IndvsSl pic.twitter.com/IuPePFnXmC

— Brendan Taylor (@BrendanTaylor86) December 13, 2017

Rohit Sharma continues to troll his haters who made fun of him in his early days, what was that maggi something… Take that! Third double century… #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/Fc8StgBwHa

— P₹akash $inha ?? (@Predicto_Praky) December 13, 2017

Rohit Sharma from 100 (115) to 208 (153)
1, 2, 1, 4, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 2, 2, 6, 6, 6, 6, 0, 6, 6, 1, 6, 1, 1, 1, 4, 4, 6, 1, 1, 4, 1, 1, 6, 1, 6, 2, 6, 1,
108 runs in last 38 balls#IndvSL #KingRO

— Jasveer Singh Kharra (@imjsk27) December 13, 2017

Rohit Sharma ends with 208 not out only. Only his third highest score in ODIs. Madness. #INDvSL

— Saurabh Somani (@saurabh_42) December 13, 2017

Just in: @ImRo45 is the new 200. #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/FhYnydvG6P

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) December 13, 2017

Hats off Mr.shaama!!legendary stuff.@ImRo45 #tooeasy

— Varun Aaron (@VarunAaron) December 13, 2017

This is absolute annihilation from Rohit Sharma. The only player with 3 ODI double centuries in the world. What a player, what a star. What a goddamn knock! ? #IndvSL

— Samreen (@SamreenRazzaqui) December 13, 2017

Rohit jab marta hai to double marta hai #INDvSL

— Dharmendra Pant (@DMPant) December 13, 2017

In this form, Rohit hitting a 4 should be reason to celebrate for opposition bowlers.

— cricBC (@cricBC) December 13, 2017

Rohit's genius notwithstanding this is a shambolic bowling effort from Sri Lanka #INDvSL

— Arun Venugopal (@scarletrun) December 13, 2017

Scores of 200+ in ODIS
1x: 4 players
2x:
3x: ROHIT SHARMA
#INDvSL @BCCI

— Swamp (@sirswampthing) December 13, 2017

Shopkeeper: 100 ka recharge kar du bhai?

Rohit Sharma: 200 ka karde. Main roz roz recharge nahi karta.#AUSvIND

— SAGAR (@sagarcasm) January 18, 2015

Blast blast bang bang.. Rohit hits another double ton.. 208 not out.. what an inning.. first to score 3 double ton in ODI. Bravo. @ImRo45 @BCCI pic.twitter.com/CrTFt1mtFY

— Saurashtra Cricket (@saucricket) December 13, 2017

It was #Dhoni who decided to promote #Rohit as an opener in the #2013ChampionsTrophy and we witnessed 3 double centuries after that. It all began with that one move. When decisions change lives!

— Mikkhail Vaswani (@MikkhailVaswani) December 13, 2017

Fantastic knock by Captain .@ImRo45 These Indian batsmen are just run machines #INDvSL https://t.co/dC9jf9iigD

— Ian Pont (@Ponty100mph) December 13, 2017

The series against Sri Lanka in the past few years have had a hangover of 'Rohit Bachao Yojana' #INDvSL

— Venkat Raghav (@raghavitis) December 13, 2017

Most 180+ scores in ODIs:

3 Guptill, ROHIT
2 Richards, Tendulkar#IndvSL

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) December 13, 2017

Rohit Sharma turns fielders into ball boys in last 10 overs.

— Silly Point ?‏ (@FarziCricketer) December 13, 2017

Rohit Sharma scores his 3rd double century in ODIs. First player to do so. What a player!!!! Graceful batsman #INDvSL #RohitSharma

— Nabeel Hashmi (@HashmeNabeel) December 13, 2017

Third double century in ODIs for Rohit Sharma
209 v Australia in Bengaluru in 2013
264 v SL in Kolkata in 2014
200* v SL at Mohali in 2017

Only batsman to hit three double hundreds in ODIs#INDvSL

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) December 13, 2017

Insane 24 hours. Pitchside for @henrygayle s 18 sixes yesterday. Now a sumptuous treat from the hit man @ImRo45. UNREAL #INDvSL

— Gautam Bhimani (@gbhimani) December 13, 2017

You do it once – great!
You do it twice – even better!
A third time! Simply brilliant!

No words for this batting from Rohit Sharma! #IndvsSL

— Nishad Pai Vaidya (@nishad_45) December 13, 2017

Three double hundreds in ODI. That must settle any debates, best opener in the ODI game #INDvSL

— Gav Joshi (@Gampa_cricket) December 13, 2017

This is the 3rd time that a Sharma scoring double century when Virat Kohli got out by a Sharma.#INDvSL

— Sunil- The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) December 13, 2017