Rohit Sharma Denied Adelaide Century as Mitchell Starc Stuns Post-Ganguly Milestone in Cricket Drama
In the second One Day International (ODI) held at the Adelaide Oval, former India captain Rohit Sharma showcased a solid performance, ultimately scoring 73 runs off 97 balls. This innings was significant not only for its contribution to India’s total but also for the milestones it achieved. Sharma surpassed Sourav Ganguly to become the third-highest run-scorer for India in ODIs.
Rohit Sharma Denied Adelaide Century
Sharma began his innings slowly, facing his fewest runs in the first 20 balls since the 2019 World Cup. Despite a cautious start, he reached his half-century with a strike rate of 75.26, highlighting his ability to adapt to challenging conditions. His performance included seven boundaries and two sixes, marking a welcome return to form after a lackluster outing in the previous match in Perth.
Key Moments in Sharma’s Innings
- Sharma scored his half-century off 74 balls, his slowest since 2014.
- He was eventually dismissed for 73 when Mitchell Starc took his catch, preventing Sharma from reaching a century in Adelaide.
- Rohit became the first Indian to score over 1,000 ODI runs on Australian soil.
Following this innings, Rohit’s career statistics have now reached 11,249 runs in 275 ODIs, maintaining an impressive average of 48.69. This includes 32 centuries and 59 fifties, with a career-best score of 264 – the highest in ODI history. He surpassed Ganguly’s record of 11,121 runs in 308 matches.
Rohit’s Record-Breaking Achievements
With his innings at Adelaide, Rohit solidified his place as one of India’s leading overseas performers. He now ranks third in India’s all-time run-scorers list, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.
| Rank | Player | ODI Runs | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar | 18,426 | 463 |
| 2 | Virat Kohli | 14,181 | 304 |
| 3 | Rohit Sharma | 11,249 | 275 |
| 4 | Sourav Ganguly | 11,121 | 308 |
Rohit’s remarkable achievement puts him in elite company. He becomes the fifth player overall to reach the 1,000-run milestone in ODIs played in Australia. His consistency has provided India with renewed hope as they aim to equal the three-match series, currently led 1-0 by Australia.
