In the important Visakhapatnam ODI against the visiting side Windies, both the Indian openers KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma have smashed centuries.
India and Windies are currently busy in the second game of the three-match ODI series at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium (Visakhapatnam). On last Sunday (15th December), India lost the first ODI of this series after the visitors thrashed them by eight wickets (with 13 balls remaining) at Chennai. While that defeat put the hosts to trail this ODI series by 0-1, India can’t afford another defeat in this series.
Like the Chennai ODI, the toss luck once again went with the Windies captain Kieron Pollard in the ongoing Visakhapatnam ODI, and he decided to bowl first once again. However, this time, the Indian openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul haven’t failed, rather than, they have managed to provide a big partnership that is guiding the team to the big first-innings total.
Both the openers first put the century partnership in 20.1 overs. While KL Rahul completed his half-century in 46 balls, Rohit Sharma took 67 balls to reach this same figure. Since then, they have batted more strongly, and it set their brilliant centuries.
First Rohit Sharma and then KL Rahul reached the three-figure marks
At first, the no.2-ranked ODI batsman Rohit Sharma completed his century, which is his first three-figure score in last ten innings. The 32-year-old completed his 28th ODI century in 107 balls with the help of 11 fours and two sixes.
On the other hand, KL Rahul registered his third ODI century in 102 balls. The 27-year-old right-handed opening batsman hit 8 fours and 3 sixes to reach his century mark. Before his century, the openers took the score 200 runs mark in 33.5 overs.
The openers put the 227 runs partnership for the opening wicket before Alzarri Joseph broke that partnership by dismissing KL Rahul in the 37th over. Rahul scored 102 runs off 104 balls (8 fours and 3 sixes).
Here are the Twitter reactions:
Phenomenal year for @ImRo45 continues. Brilliant. Now @klrahul11 both have been superb. 350 on here.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) December 18, 2019
Seventh successive year since 2013 that the highest individual score by annIndian in a calendar year is by Rohit Sharma. Looking ominous today #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/Y6ht3YDos7
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 18, 2019
Great going guys @ImRo45 and @klrahul11 what a partnership.. can we see another 200 from Hitman ? Or how bout KL scoring 200 ?
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) December 18, 2019
now KL gets to his hundred. one of his better ODI knocks. #INDvWI
— ?????? ????? (@GautamSodhi1) December 18, 2019
After a debut ton in ODI, it took #KLRahul 20 matches to score his second ton. However, from 2nd ton to 3rd ton, it has taken him just 3 matches! Well played! #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/YBc23FkBje
— Vimal कुमार (@Vimalwa) December 18, 2019
#INDvWI
Expecting Big Target#Rohit #KLRahul pic.twitter.com/YVC7H9ckf9— BALA HARINADH?? (@bala_harinadh55) December 18, 2019
No One Can Stop Them @ImRo45 & @klrahul11 Maaasss ?? Centuries For Both. 28th For #RohitSharma, 3rd For #KLRahul in ODI’s #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/IlsCSZdapL
— Chanukya (@imchanukya) December 18, 2019
28th ODI hundred for Rohit Sharma; not among his best ones but surely it counts. he needed this ton more than anyone!
What a year he has had. #INDvWI
— ?????? ????? (@GautamSodhi1) December 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/WriterBearded/status/1207251027574964225
28th ODI ? for #RohitSharma
3rd vs Windies,
10th in ??,
13th in Asia,
7th in this year,
17th under Virat Kohli,
15th in 1st Match Inning,
16th in day night match,
31st in List A,
38th in International cricket,
97th in Professional Career,
26th as Opener#INDvWI #INDvsWI— Akhil Gupta ? (@Guptastats92) December 18, 2019
Most centuries by openers in a calendar year in international Cricket ~
10* – Rohit Sharma, 2019
9 – Sachin Tendulkar, 1998
9 – Graeme Smith, 2005
9 – David Warner, 2016When talking about opening in Int'l Cricket, Rohit Sharma is always present … #INDvWI #RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/JpEukivyRO
— ?.?.?.? ? (@JitRo45) December 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/madhu_donipati/status/1207251342416175104
https://twitter.com/lndianCaptain/status/1204764512282447872
https://twitter.com/CommanderVinnu/status/1207252110535847936
Shikhar Dhavan after seeing kl rahul is scoring runs in ODI and t20 as well.#klrahul#Rohit#INDvWI pic.twitter.com/TzfkVVOACq
— Aalok_singla (@aal_si_01) December 18, 2019
Hey Bhagwan Aaj Kohli Bhai Ke Hisse Ke Runs Bhi Main He Marunga ????#INDvsWI #KLRahul #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/EXKLVgvkU5
— Dr Khushboo ?? (@khushbookadri) December 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/Pranjultweet/status/1207252151195570181
https://twitter.com/MohitMa26/status/1207250685776891904
Rahooollllll ?????
Finally he is showing his class in odi format ??#INDvWI #KLRahul pic.twitter.com/rG5yepGuci
— Simran Randhawa (@Randhawa36_) December 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/Im_Ro45FC/status/1207250844384497665
#indvsWI #Rohit #RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/JCummaXjeH
— Batti bujha (@BattiBujha) December 18, 2019