India star opener Rohit Sharma backed up his brilliant century against South Africa with a scintillating fifty off 61 balls against Australia on Sunday at Oval. As soon as the opener collected 20 runs in the ongoing thriller, he became the fastest player to score 2000 runs against Australia.

The 32-year-old, playing his 37th innings against the defending champions, in process surpassed the likes of Sachin Tendulkar , Viv Richards and Desmond Haynes to become the fourth player to aggregate 2000 runs in ODIs against Australia.


Both Sharma and Dhawan stitched a crucial 100-runs partnership and Aussies were desperate for a wicket. All-rounder Nathan Coulter-Nile got the big breakthrough as Rohit was caught behind after his half-century.

Rohit, who now has 42 half-centuries in ODIs, surpassed India batting icon Sachin Tendulkar to become the fastest Indian to sore 2000 runs against Aussies. The former cricketer took 51 innings to reach the milestone.

In India's WC 2019 opener against Proteas, Rohit Sharma curbed his natural flair for greater good as his gritty hundred complemented a superb bowling effort in India's resounding six-wicket victory over a hapless South Africa in their World Cup opener on Wednesday.