In a momentous cricketing achievement, Rohit Sharma, the captain of Team India, etched his name into the record books by becoming the second fastest cricketer to reach the 10,000-run mark in One Day Internationals (ODIs). This remarkable feat was accomplished during the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 in a thrilling encounter against Sri Lanka on September 12, 2023. Let’s dive into the details of this historic moment and the match that unfolded.
The Milestone Moment
Rohit Sharma reached the coveted 10,000-run milestone in style, displaying his trademark power and finesse with the bat. Facing Sri Lanka’s pacer Kasun Rajitha, Rohit smashed a colossal six that not only propelled him into the 10K club but also left spectators in awe. The moment will be forever etched in cricketing history as Rohit’s six soared over the boundary ropes at the R Premadasa stadium.
Elite Company
With this achievement, Rohit Sharma joined the ranks of cricketing legends, becoming the sixth Indian and the fifteenth cricketer globally to amass 10,000 runs in ODIs. The road to 10,000 runs may have taken 241 innings for Rohit, but his remarkable consistency and ability to adapt to various match situations have made him a standout performer in the world of cricket.
🚨 Milestone 🔓
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 12, 2023
1⃣0⃣0⃣0⃣0⃣ ODI runs & counting 🙌 🙌
Congratulations to #TeamIndia captain Rohit Sharma 👏 👏
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/P0ylBAiETu #AsiaCup2023 | #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/STcUx2sKBV
Chasing Virat Kohli
While Rohit Sharma may be second on the list of fastest to 10,000 ODI runs, he continues to chase his fellow teammate and cricketing maestro, Virat Kohli. Kohli reached this milestone in a staggering 205 innings, setting an incredibly high bar for batting excellence. Rohit’s achievement serves as a testament to his prowess as a batsman, and it highlights the healthy competition between these two cricketing stalwarts.
Celebratory Cheers
Cricket enthusiasts and fans on social media erupted in joy, showering Rohit Sharma with well-deserved praise and admiration. Jay Shah, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), took to Twitter to extend his congratulations, saying, “A milestone that defines excellence! Congratulations to our very own Hitman, @ImRo45, on reaching 10,000 ODI runs! Your achievements speak volumes. Keep making us proud with your stellar performances!“
The Match Unfolds
The thrilling match against Sri Lanka saw India winning the toss and opting to bat first in Colombo. Rohit Sharma led from the front, displaying his exceptional batting skills by completing his fifty in just 44 balls. This was not the first time Rohit showcased his brilliance in the tournament, as he had previously scored a fine half-century against arch-rivals Pakistan at the same venue.
Sri Lanka’s Spin Choke
However, the match dynamics changed dramatically as Sri Lanka’s spinners, led by the young Dunith Wellalage, took center stage. Wellalage’s disciplined approach, coupled with a keen understanding of the pitch, saw him taking five crucial wickets. The part-time spin of Charith Asalanka also played a pivotal role, accounting for four wickets as India’s innings unraveled under the spin choke.
Rohit Sharma’s Explosive Start
In the initial PowerPlay, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided India with a strong start. Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka’s decision to introduce spin late into the PowerPlay possibly backfired, as the seamers’ deliveries were wayward. This allowed Rohit to make an explosive start, and he reached 10,000 ODI runs in emphatic fashion with a towering six.
A Sluggish Descent
Unfortunately, India’s strong start took a sharp descent once Dunith Wellalage was introduced into the bowling attack. His wicket-to-wicket deliveries exploited the tricky surface, leading to Gill’s dismissal. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma also fell victim to the spin, and India went from a promising 80/0 to a challenging 91/3.
Valiant Efforts and Spin Continues
KL Rahul, coming off a century in the previous game, showed confidence and started positively. However, even he couldn’t escape Wellalage’s grasp, succumbing to a return catch. Ishan Kishan struggled in the middle, reflecting the difficulty of facing spin on a slowing surface. Sri Lanka continued to exploit India’s vulnerability to spin, with Dhananjaya de Silva and Charith Asalanka chipping in with their disciplined bowling.
Wellalage’s Fifer and Late Resilience
Wellalage completed his five-wicket haul with a peach of a delivery, dismissing Hardik Pandya. Asalanka maintained the pressure with his disciplined bowling, resulting in India losing wickets at regular intervals. Axar Patel’s late cameo, accompanied by a 27-run partnership with Mohammed Siraj, prevented India from falling well below the 200-run mark.
Historic First for India
Notably, this match marked the first instance in which India lost all their ten wickets to spinners in an ODI, underscoring the effectiveness of Sri Lanka’s spin bowling attack.
