Rohit Sharma is one of those rare cricketers who warms up after reaching the three-figure mark in ODIs. So it was but natural for the anticipation to rise when Rohit went past fifty in the fourth ODI against West Indies in Mumbai. Like in most cases, Rohit did not disappoint, raking up 162 top quality runs to push India’s total to 377 for 5 and in the process registering his 7th 150+ score – the most in the world and two more than the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and David Warner. On three out of those 7 occasions, Rohit went on to score in excess of 200 – the world record 264 being his highest in ODIs.
"While batting, I don't think about scoring hundreds or double-hundreds. I just want to go bat, score runs and get the team to good positions," Rohit said after his 162-run knock that ensured a mammoth 224-run win for India in 4th ODI.
Rohit also stated that the expectations of scoring a 200 everytime he walks out to open the innings the for India does not affect him in any way and it infact is the last thing in mind when faces the new ball.
"The three double-hundreds that I've got, I had never thought about getting them. Even today, in fact, Rayudu was telling me that I can get a double-hundred. But I was just trying to focus on my batting and not think about how I'm going to get to double-hundred. I wanted to score runs and make sure that we get enough runs because CCI can get tricky while [defending]. But we bowled well to get them out."
Sharma led the way with his whirlwind innings of 162 and Rayudu played the ideal foil with a knock of 100, the two adding 211 runs to power India to an imposing 377 for five. West Indies were bowled out for 153 with rookie left-arm seamer Khaleel Ahmed grabbing three wickets.
"He (Rayudu) batted brilliantly because at that point a big partnership was needed and it was a perfect platform for him also to showcase what he's got. There was pressure, of course, losing top two batsmen and building a partnership was important. So it was a pressure innings and I thought he responded well to that situation."
Sharma's 21st ODI century came off 137 balls with the help of 20 fours and four hits over the fence, while Rayudu decorated his 100-run knock with eight boundaries and four sixes.
West Indies were bowled out for 153 with left-arm medium pacer Khaleed Ahmed impressing with career-best figures of 3 for 13 in his five overs.
"When the left-armers swing the ball the way Khaleel did today, it's always going to trouble the batsman no matter what sort of batsman he's bowling against. If he's swinging the ball the way he is, any batsman in the world will find it difficult. He's maturing very fast, he understands his bowling. And the management also understands where he needs to be come the World Cup. I hope he continues to do that because it's only going to be better for us. Come New Zealand, and the World Cup in England, where the ball swings a lot, he might be very handy there."