Rohit Sharma started his career as a middle-order batsman for India. Although he had an abundance of talent, he could not quite provide the consistency that was required of him. However, in the 2013 Champions Trophy, skipper MS Dhoni moved Rohit to the top of the order and the rest is history. Rohit has gone on to become one of the most dangerous white-ball openers in the history of white-ball cricket. He always has had the knack of taking apart bowling attacks in world-cricket and often has got his hundreds and a quick rate. Here is a look at 5 of the fastest hundreds by Rohit Sharma in ODI cricket.
1. 82 balls vs England (July 12, 2018)
India played England in the first of the three-match ODI series in 2018. England got bowled out for 268, thanks to a fine 6-wicket haul from Kuldeep Yadav. Still, 269 was a decent total to get and India needed a good start from their openers.
India got a good start of 59 runs from their openers. After they lost Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma took the role of the aggressor and started dominating the England bowlers. Finding the boundaries at regular intervals, Rohit began to form a solid partnership with skipper Virat Kohli. The duo added 167 runs for the second wicket and Rohit brought up his hundred in just 82 balls, which is his fastest in ODI cricket.
He remained unbeaten on 137 runs off just 114 balls, hitting 15 fours and 4 sixes as India beat England by 8 wickets.
2. 84 balls vs West Indies (October 21, 2018)
West Indies were touring India in 2018 and this was the 1st ODI of the ODI series. West Indies batted first and posted a mammoth 322-8, thanks to a fantastic century from Shimron Hetmyer.
India got off to the worst possible start as they lost Shikhar Dhawan in the second over. However, Rohit Sharma then took charge of the innings and had the support of skipper Virat Kohli. Both began to smash the West Indies bowlers to all parts of the ground and built a strong partnership of 246 runs for the second wicket which set up the chase beautifully.
Rohit Sharma scored an unbeaten 152 runs from 117 balls including 15 fours and 8 sixes and got is hundred off 84 balls, which is his second-fastest in ODI cricket. India won the game comfortably by 8 wickets.
3. 85 balls vs Sri Lanka (August 31, 2017)
India were on the tour of Sri Lanka for a five-match ODI series and having already wrapped up the series 3-0 going into the fourth ODI, they were high on confidence.
Batting first, India lost Shikhar Dhawan early. But Rohit Sharma, who normally takes his time to get settled in, began smashing the ball pretty early in his innings. He was yet again dominating the Sri Lankan bowlers alongside skipper Virat Kohli as the duo added 219 runs for the second wicket. Rohit Sharma scored a fantastic 101 off just 88 balls including 11 fours and 3 sixes.
Rohit Sharma got his hundred off just 85 balls, which is his third-fastest in ODI cricket. India posted a mammoth total of 375-5 in their 50 overs. This was too much for Sri Lanka as they faltered for 207, losing the game by 168 runs.
4. 85 balls vs Pakistan (June 16, 2019)
India versus Pakistan is always a big game and to have it in a mega event like a World Cup is the icing on the cake. Big players step up on big occasions and Rohit Sharma wrote his name all over this particular fixture.
Batting first, India got a fantastic opening stand of 136 runs between KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma. While Rahul played the role of the second-fiddle, Rohit Sharma was timing the ball to perfection in the gaps and scoring runs. After Rahul’s departure, Rohit Sharma ensured that the Pakistan bowlers continued to leak runs and got his hundred off 85 balls, which is his joint-third fastest in ODI cricket.
India scored a mammoth total of 336-5 in their 50 overs and Rohit Sharma played a fantastic knock of 140 off just 113 balls including 14 fours and 3 sixes. Pakistan batsmen could not handle the Indian bowling as they lost by 89 runs by D/L method.
5. 90 balls vs Bangladesh (July 2, 2019)
India played Bangladesh in the group game of the 2019 World Cup. Rohit Sharma had already scored multiple hundreds in the tournament and was looking to continue his rich vein of form.
India again got a brilliant start from their openers Rahul and Rohit as they added 180 runs for the first wicket. Rohit Sharma again was toying with the opposition bowlers and was able to get the better of them. He scored a hundred off just 90 balls which was his fourth-fastest in ODI cricket.
India ended up winning a close game by 28 runs as Rohit Sharma bagged yet another Man of the Match award.
