OTD, in 2019: Rohit Sharma became first-ever batter to slam five tons in single edition of ODI World Cup

On July 06, 2019, Rohit Sharma created history as he became the first-ever batter to slam as many as five centuries in a single edition of the ICC ODI World Cup. The current Indian captain was in exceptional form in the previous edition of the 50-over showpiece event and he entered the record books with his fifth ton of the 2019 edition, becoming the first-ever batsman to the feat.

Four years back, India faced Sri Lanka in the 2019 ODI World Cup on July 06. Opting to bat first, Dimuth Karunaratne-led Sri Lanka were struggling at 55 for 4 before former skipper Angelo Mathews slammed 113 as the Lankans posted 264 for 7 in 50 overs. In reply, India rode on openers Rohit and KL Rahul’s 189-run opening stand. Rohit returned with a fine 94-ball 103 whereas Rahul top-scored with a sublime 113. Thus, India won the game by eight wickets without dropping much sweat, achieving the target with 39 balls to spare.

Talking about Rohit’s knock, his inning was laced with 14 fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 109.57. Throughout the 2019 ODI WC, Hitman was in unbelievable form. The then vice-captain started his campaign with a hundred versus South Africa and followed it up with a match-winning 140 versus Pakistan before scoring three centuries on the trot — against England, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. With a ton versus the Islanders, Rohit surpassed Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara to hit five centuries in an edition.

In the 2015 ODI WC, Sangakkara slammed four centuries before Rohit went a step ahead in the following edition, held in England and Wales. The right-hander ended the 2019 ODI WC with 648 runs — second-most in a single edition — and ended as the top run-getter. He will look to replicate the same form in the upcoming 2023 ODI World Cup at home. Rohit-led India will kick off their campaign versus Australia on October 08 in Chennai.

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