India vs Australia 2019: Rohit Sharma Shatters Virat Kohli's Record
Rohit Sharma (Credits: Getty)

After failing to deliver as per expectations in the first three ODIs of the series against Australia, Rohit Sharma finally returned to form on Sunday. Following the loss in the third ODI, India were in desperate need of a good start after skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to bat first on a belter of a pitch in Mohali. And Rohit Sharma did not disappoint at all. He along with Shikhar Dhawan set the tone for a big total by sharing 193 runs for the first wicket – India’s highest opening wicket stand against Australia.

The way Rohit was batting, he was looking set to score his 23rd century. Batting on 95, he then pulled a Jhye Richardson deliver straight into the hands of Peter Handscomb to miss a well-deserved ton just by 5 runs.  Dhawan, nonetheless, went on to score a stunning ton, scoring 143 to help India post a daunting total of 358 for 9.

India vs Australia 2019: Rohit Sharma Shatters Virat Kohli's Record
Rohit Sharma (Credits: Getty)

Well, Rohit would have definitely loved to register another ton. He, nonetheless, added yet another feather to his illustrious cap. He now jointly holds the record of scoring fastest 3000 runs in home country. The right-hander and South Africa’s Hashim Amla have achieved the feat in 57 innings.

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The previous fastest to 3000 runs in India was Virat Kohli, who took 63 innings.

Meanwhile, Rohit’s effort and the big total turned out to be too less in the end as Australia chased it down with 11 balls remaining. The visitors started the chase on a poor note and lost Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh for just 12 runs on the board. However, a 192-run stand between Peter Handscomb (117) and Usman Khawaja (91) revived their hopes before Ashton Turner’s whirlwind unbeaten knock of 84 helped them register their biggest chase in ODIs.

With the five-match series now locked at 2-2, both the teams will have everything to play for when they take on each other in the fifth and final ODI on March 13.

 

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