The seven-match ODI series between India and Australia, has become a turning point in Rohit Sharma’s cricket career and provided answers to many complex questions that gripped Team India for years. India now have two solid openers, who hardly play any reckless shots or show complacency like Sehwag and Gambhir. With Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan at the helm of affairs, India’s batting line-up has become invincible on flat wickets.
The start provided by Roh
it Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan helped India chase down 350+ twice in a single series – an incredible world record. In addition, the team could pile up 383/6 in the series decided in Bangalore, thanks to the efforts of the duo. Rohit Sharma, who scored 491 in five matches, became the third batsman in the world after Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag to score an ODI double hundred.
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Rohit also hit the maximum number of sixes (16) in an innings – a world record in ODIs. His scores in the series, included 42, 141*, 11, 9*, 79 and 209. He not only guided the team to win the series, but also won the ‘Man of the Series’ and outsmarted Australian skipper George Bailey (482 runs) as the top run getter in any bilateral series.
Rohit never managed to cement his place in Team India despite possessing great talent and ability to score in tough situations until he got the opening slot. In the absence of Gambhir and Sehwag, he was promoted as an opener. And, there was no looking back after that. He has now become a dependable opener for India and skipper MS Dhoni.
The Indo-Australia series provided great platform to Rohit Sharma to showcase his talent and he did not miss that golden opportunity. Everyone thought Kohli and Yuvraj will shine in this series. Kohli did, but Yuvraj failed. However, Rohit Sharma overshadowed everyone not only with the number of runs he scored, but also with the 209 in the final ODI and the world record in hitting most number of sixes. He completed his victory with the ‘Man of the Series’ award. There is little doubt that it was a re-birth for him as a great cricketer India was looking for after Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement.
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