What a way to bring up 200 in one-day internationals, they call him Hitman and he is arrived to the party. These were commentator Ravi Shastri’s words to describe Rohit Sharma’s heroic efforts when he smashed his first double century in ODIs. The star Indian batsman was at 197 as he hit a six off Australian bowler Clint McKay to bring up his maiden double hundred during India’s home series in 2013. The Mumbai cricketer fell at 209 but he joined the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag who were the first ones in the list of double centurions in One-Day Internationals. But Sharma was not content with just one double-hundred score as the flamboyant cricketer played two more 200 plus innings. Rohit Sharma’s innings of 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014 remains the highest score by a batsman in an ODI match. The cricketer slammed his third double hundred against the same team in 2017 while leading the team as a captain for the first time in his career.

India boasts of one of the strongest batting line-ups in the world. Team India has produced finest batsmen over the years who have dominated the world cricket and inked their name in cricketing history. Scoring 200 runs or above in the 50-over format remained a distant dream till God of Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar showed the way to do it.

The Indian cricketing legend hit the first double hundred in the ODI history when he hit 200 not out against South Africa in 2010. On February 24, Gwalior hosted second India-South Africa ODI match at Captain Roop Singh Stadium. Batting first, Sachin Tendulkar helped the home side put a mammoth total of 401 on the scoreboard. The batting maestro hit 200 not out in mere 147 deliveries, which included 25 fours and three sixes. India won the match by 153 runs.;

List of Double Centurions in One-Day International Matches

Sr. No. Year Player Name Country Against Runs
1. 2014 Rohit Sharma India Sri Lanka 264
2. 2015 Martin Guptill New Zealand West Indies 237*
3. 2011 Virender Sehwag India West Indies 219
4. 2015 Chris Gayle West Indies Zimbabwe 215
5. 2013 Rohit Sharma India Australia 209
6. 2017 Rohit Sharma India Sri Lanka 208*
7. 2010 Sachin Tendulkar India South Africa 200*

The second double century was also hit by an Indian cricketer and this time it was Virender Sehwag. Another home series, another run fest for team India. On December 8, 2011, Sehwag blasted West Indies side playing at Holkar Stadium in Indore. The dazzling opener made 219 runs off 149 deliveries that had 25 fours and seven sixes to take his side’s final score to 418. India won this match by 153 runs as well.

The third and fourth double hundreds came from Rohit Sharma’s willow. His majestic prowess to hit 200 odd runs in the shorter format of the game left cricket fans in awe of him. Rohit’s first double century was against Australia on November 2, who were on their tour of India in 2013. The Hitman took 158 balls to make 209 runs that included 12 fours and 16 sixes. He holds the record for the highest number of sixes, 16, in an ODI inning. India beat Australia by 57 runs at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

The highest ODI score of 264 runs, which is standing tall in the record books was smashed by Sharma playing against Sri Lanka on November 13, 2014. The fearless cricketer was in his full element in front of packed Eden Gardens. Sharma hammered hapless Sri Lankan bowlers around the park. His innings of 264 came in 173 deliveries including 33 fours and nine sixes. India won the match by 153 runs.

West Indian batting legend, Chris Gayle became the first non-Indian player to cross the 200-run mark in ODI. Playing against Zimbabwe during the 2015 Cricket World Cup on February 24, Gayle smashed 215 off 147 deliveries. His innings at Canberra’s Manuka Oval saw as many as 16 sixes hit off the ground. West Indies won the match by 73 runs (D/L method).

The second non-Indian double centurion in ODI was Martin Guptill of New Zealand. His innings of 237 not out was also the second 200 plus score by an individual player in 2015 Cricket World Cup. Guptill scored his highest score playing against West Indies at Wellington Regional Stadium on March 22, 2015.

The seventh and most recent double century on the list is once again slammed by Rohit Sharma. The dashing batsman hit 208 not out against Sri Lanka on December 13, 2017, which also marked Rohit’s third marriage anniversary. He was leading Team India for the first time in his career, making his third double century extra special. Sharma took 153 balls to make 208 runs that included 13 fours and 12 sixes. Indian players are dominating the list with five out of seven double centuries against their names. And with Rohit’s love to make tall scores, his fans expect more and more from the great player.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 24, 2017 05:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).