Former India bowler S Sreesanth likened the contest in which Rohit Sharma achieved his first ODI double century to a video game. He claimed that Rohit was batting in the game as if he were playing PS5.
Rohit is the only international hitter to have hit three double tons in one-day cricket. The first occurred in November 2013 versus Australia in Bengaluru. The “Hitman” smashed 12 fours and 16 sixes in his 209 off 158 balls. India batted first and scored 383/6 before holding Australia to 326.
Sreesanth recalled Rohit’s maiden ODI double century in an interview. He stated:
“I was not playing when he had hit his first double hundred. The way he was batting and was hitting the bowlers, it seemed like they were playing PS5 – as if a video game was on. Rohit Sharma has so much time, just like Yuvraj Singh before him did.”
S Sreesanth
During the conversation, Sreesanth related another occasion in which the current Indian captain pushed him for a six so deep into the game that the ball couldn’t be located. The 40-year-old explained:
“Rohit had hit a pull shot off my bowling in 2008-09. He was playing for Indian Oil and I was playing for Bharat Petroleum. Many people don’t know, the six that he hit, the ball is still lying on the railway track at Parsi Gymkhana in Mumbai. The ball is yet to be found.
“Earlier, I had got him out in the Duleep Trophy as well in the West Zone vs South Zone match. I had got him out on the pull. That’s why I bowled a bouncer again in that game against Indian Oil. But he had improved a year later,” Sreesanth added, concluding the tale.
S Sreesanth
The former fast bowler played India in 27 Tests, 53 One-Day Internationals, and ten Twenty20 Internationals.
“Rohit Sharma had that intent from day one” – Sreesanth
Sreesanth praised Rohit’s work ethics, saying that he had the right desire and a good mentality from the start. The former cricketer added:
“My first impression was that he can play and is someone who looks positive. The best thing about Rohit Sharma is that he had that intent from day one. The intensity with which he comes for training or practice, his gym routine…”
S Sreesanth
Rohit is presently captaining India in the 2023 ODI World Cup at home. India began their campaign in Chennai with a six-wicket victory over Australia.