Rohit Sharma hits fastest T20I century for India off just 35 balls

This is Rohit Sharma’s second T20 International ton. (Source: AP)

Rohit Sharma hit the joint fastest century in T20 Internationals after reaching the three-figure mark off just 35 balls against Sri Lanka in the second T20I in Indore on Friday. It is the fastest ever century by an Indian cricketer in T20Is and he is also the first batsman from India to hit two centuries in T20 Internaationals. His century came off jst 35 balls. Rohit equalled the record held by South Africa’s David Miller who also has a 35-ball century against Bangladesh. Rohit’s ton was part of an incredible opening partnership with KL Rahul with the duo putting up more than 150 runs within 12 overs. The Indian captain smashed a whopping 11 fours and eight sixes on his way to the century. He has been in blistering form of late and had recently scored a record-extending third ODI double hundred against Sri Lanka in Mohali.

Rohit started the innings on a slower note compared to what he did to the Sri Lankan bowlers in the latter stages. KL Rahul was hitting the ball all around the park. Rohit Sharma’s onslaught started around the sixth over of the innings when he slammed 15 runs off Akila Dananjaya. He truly shifted a gear in the 9th over bowled by Asela Gunaratne in which he hit two sixes followed by two fours off consecutive deliveries and reached his half century within 25 balls. That over also brought up India’s 100. Rohit never looked back after that and was stopped only when he was dismissed by Chameera in 13th over. He had made 112 off 43 balls and his final tally of boundaries stood at 12 fours and 10 sixes. His partnership with Rahul was off 165 runs, the highest opening partnership for India in T20 Internationals.

Rohit Sharma is captaining the Indian team against Sri Lanka with Virat Kohli choosing to sit out the ODI and T20I series. Apart from this ton and the 200 he scored in the second ODI at Mohali, Rohit also found form in the Test series, slamming a century and putting his name in consideration for a name in the playing eleven when India tour South Africa in January.