Rohit Sharma Remembers The Conversation With MS Dhoni On The Way To His Maiden ODI Double Hundred
Published - 19 May 2020, 08:30 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:28 AM
Rohit Sharma’s first of the three double-hundreds in ODI cricket in 2013 against the Australians had several aspects and stories attached to it. As he engaged in an Instagram live chat with Ravichandran Ashwin, he unfolded to his fans a plethora of anecdotes, which he revels to this date. Finally, Rohit Sharma also revealed how a crucial piece of advice from the then captain MS Dhoni and how he managed to ignore it.
The 33-year old’s maiden double century in ODI cricket entered the record books as he became only the third batsman in the history to do so. Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag were the only ones before it to achieve the elusive feat. Rohit’s 209 off 158 balls against Australia at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru sealed a series victory for India. The knock consisted of 12 fours and 16 sixes that gave him the man of the match and eventually the player of the series as well.
Yet, only a few may be aware of the conversation between him and MS Dhoni on Rohit Sharma’s way to a sensational hundred. The right-handed batsman shared blazing-fast partnerships with Dhoni and Suresh Raina to guide the hosts to an imposing 383 off 50 overs. However, Rohit may have never touched the 200-mark if complied to his captain’s advice.
“You are the set batsman, and we want you to bat till the 50th over” – MS Dhoni to Rohit Sharma
In the live session, the Mumbai batsman didn’t even think of getting to a double-hundred. Instead, he wanted to bat and get as many runs as possible for the side. Rohit especially recalled his stand with Dhoni that was worth 62 off only 38 deliveries. The keeper-batsman was keen on him to bat the whole quota of overs and let him take risks.
Being the set batsman, Dhoni wanted his partner to knock off singles in the gap, get the odd boundary and allow him to take chances. On the contrary, the 33-year-old told his skipper that since he sees the ball as well as he should be, let him put pressure on their bowlers. Off-spinner Xavier Doherty became the victim of four sixes in an over from the double-centurion.
“I never thought I would score a double hundred. I just wanted to bat.. It rained a bit and them along with Shikhar, remained not out till the break. Soon Shikhar got out and Virat was run out as well. So I took over the responsibility.” Rohit Sharma narrated to Ravichandran Ashwin
“Suresh and I also shared a good partnership but lost Yuvi early. I batted with MS Dhoni till the 48th over. During the partnership, he kept on talking and discussing things with me. He said, ‘You are the set batsman and we want you to bat till the 50th over and I will be the one who takes chances.” the right-handed batsman on the stand with MS Dhoni
“He was telling me ‘you’re the set batsman and I want you to bat till the 48th, 49th of 50th over, because you can hit any bowler anywhere you want. So let me take chances, you just take a backseat, take singles, knock the ball in the gaps, and find the odd boundary if you can.” India’s limited-overs vice-captain continued.
