India vs Afghanistan: Sensational Rohit Sharma sets records with his seventh ODI World Cup century

NEW DELHI: India skipper Rohit Sharma on Wednesday etched his name in the annals of cricket history by becoming the batter with the most centuries in the ODI World Cups. Playing against Afghanistan in the ongoing ICC World Cup at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, India opener smashed a quick-fire hundred to lead the hosts’ run chase.Rohit achieved this remarkable feat with his seventh century in this prestigious tournament, surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who had scored six centuries in World Cup matches.

It was his 31st century in One Day Internationals (ODIs), making him only the third batter to achieve the milestone of more than 30 centuries in this format. Ahead of Rohit are two other Indian cricketing legends, Sachin Tendulkar with 49 ODI centuries and Virat Kohli with 47.

Scorecard: India vs AfghanistanThis particular century was a masterclass in quick scoring, coming off just 63 balls and adorned with four towering sixes and 12 elegant fours. Notably, it also stands as the fastest World Cup century by an Indian, eclipsing the record previously held by legendary Kapil Dev. Overall, this remarkable century ranks as the fifth fastest in Indian ODI history, with Virat Kohli’s 52-ball century against Australia in Jaipur in 2013 leading the list.With this remarkable achievement, Rohit finds himself in exclusive company in the list of most centuries in ODI World Cups. Only he and Sachin Tendulkar have managed to score more than five centuries in this prestigious tournament. Australia’s Ricky Ponting and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara follow closely with five World Cup centuries each.Rohit’s brilliance with the bat also places him second in the list of most centuries by an opener in ODIs. This century was his 29th as an opener for the Indian cricket team, with only Tendulkar, who notched up 45 centuries as an opener, ahead of him. Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya, Hashim Amla, and Chris Gayle follow in the list with 28, 27, and 25 centuries, respectively.Rohit’s consistent run-scoring and penchant for setting records continue to solidify his status as one of the most accomplished batters in contemporary cricket. His ability to rise to the occasion in World Cup matches further cements his place in cricketing folklore.

India captain Rohit Sharma, a colossus in white-ball cricket

Earlier, ‘Hitman’ Rohit, renowned for his explosive batting prowess, has surpassed the legendary ‘Universal Boss’ Chris Gayle to become the batter with the most sixes in international. With a spectacular six off the bowling of Naveen-ul-Haq in the 8th over of India’s run chase against Afghanistan, Rohit achieved his 554th maximum in international cricket, claiming the coveted record.