Rohit Sharma turns 37: 5 memorable IPL innings by Hitman

India’s cricketing maestro, Rohit Sharma, celebrates his 37th birthday, marking another milestone in his illustrious career. Renowned for his exceptional batting prowess and remarkable leadership skills, Rohit has left an indelible mark on the cricketing world, especially in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Rohit Sharma’s IPL Career Overview

Hailing from Mumbai, Rohit Sharma has emerged as one of India’s finest cricketers. His journey from a promising talent to a seasoned campaigner is inspirational. Rohit has solidified his reputation as a batting virtuoso with numerous memorable knocks in both international and domestic cricket.

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Rohit Sharma’s influence in the IPL is unparalleled. As the captain of Mumbai Indians, he has led his team to unprecedented success, clinching five IPL titles, including two consecutive title wins in 2019 and 2020. With 6522 runs against his name, he is the fourth-highest run-getter in the history of IPL.

5 memorable IPL innings by Rohit Sharma

1. 109* of 60 balls for Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders (2012)

Rohit’s scintillating century against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012 showcased his dominance with the bat. His masterful innings gave Mumbai Indians a resounding victory, highlighting his ability to turn the tide in his team’s favor single-handedly.

When Rohit Sharma stepped onto the pitch, the score was just 15 runs after losing the first wicket. However, Rohit could have done more to showcase his mastery, striking the Kolkata Knight Riders’ bowlers to all corners of the ground with finesse and authority. His exceptional performance with the bat included a remarkable tally of 12 boundaries and 5 sixes. Even more astounding is that while Rohit amassed an impressive 109 runs off just 60 balls, the rest of the team could only score 68 runs in the same number of deliveries. Thanks to Rohit’s stellar batting display, Mumbai Indians posted a formidable total of 182 runs in their allotted 20 overs, ultimately securing a comfortable victory margin of 27 runs.

2.105* of 63 balls for Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings (2014)

Rohit Sharma crafted a magnificent century in a clash against Chennai Super Kings, becoming the first Indian batter to smash 500 sixes in T20 cricket. Despite his valiant effort, MI fell short, but Rohit’s innings will be remembered for its brilliance.

Rohit Sharma achieved a significant milestone by scoring his second century in the Indian Premier League. Opening the batting for the home team, Rohit showcased his batting prowess by hitting 11 fours and five sixes during his innings of 105 runs off 63 balls. He reached his century with a boundary off the 61st ball he faced in the last over, bowled by Mustafizur Rahman. It’s worth mentioning that Rohit’s first IPL century, an unbeaten 109 against the Kolkata Knight Riders, dates back to 2012.

Despite Rohit’s valiant effort, scoring an unbeaten 105 runs, Mumbai Indians fell short by 20 runs in their pursuit of a target of 207 runs set by the opposition.

3. 32* of 13 balls for Deccan Chargers vs Kolkata Knight Riders (2008)

Before donning the Mumbai Indians jersey, Rohit Sharma showcased his talent with Deccan Chargers. His explosive innings of 32* runs in just 13 deliveries against Kolkata Knight Riders is a testament to his batting prowess under pressure.

In the inaugural season of the IPL held in South Africa, specifically in Johannesburg, the Kolkata Knight Riders took the first batting opportunity. KKR set a target of 160 runs on the scoreboard. When Rohit Sharma stepped onto the field, the Deccan Chargers were in a promising position in their chase, having scored 85 runs for the loss of only 2 wickets in 12.3 overs.

However, the Chargers needed help to maintain the required scoring rate from then on. In the following 27 deliveries, they managed to add only 43 runs to their total, leaving them with 33 runs to get in the final 3 overs. Additionally, they lost a couple of wickets during this period, intensifying the pressure. Now, all hopes were pinned on Rohit.

With just two overs left, the Chargers needed 22 runs for victory. Despite the daunting task, Rohit’s boundary at the beginning of the over-injected hope into the team. As the game reached its climax, with 14 runs needed off 4 balls, Rohit smashed a maximum to keep the contest alive. With only two deliveries remaining and 5 runs required, Rohit delivered a crucial boundary followed by a six off the final ball, securing a miraculous victory for his team.

4. 50 of 26 for Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings in Final (2015)

In the final IPL 2015, Rohit Sharma rose to the occasion, guiding Mumbai Indians to victory with a blistering half-century. His leadership and batting heroics played a pivotal role in MI lifting the coveted trophy for the second time.

Mumbai Indians took to the crease first, and unfortunately, they lost their first wicket early in the game, just on the fifth delivery of the opening over. However, their captain, Rohit Sharma, quickly stepped up to the challenge. He took charge with a bold and aggressive batting style, leaving Chennai Super Kings needing help finding a response.

Rohit’s innings displayed sheer dominance as he effortlessly reached 50 runs in 26 balls, smashing 6 boundaries and 2 sixes. His partnership with Lendl Simmons for the second wicket was instrumental, adding a crucial 119 runs to the scoreboard in just 67 balls.

By the end of their innings, Mumbai Indians had set a formidable target of 202 runs for CSK to chase. However, CSK fell short by 41 runs, unable to match the impressive total posted by MI.

5. Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (IPL 2018) – 94 (54)

Rohit Sharma’s scintillating innings of 94 runs off 54 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2018 showcased his ability to dominate the opposition. His sublime strokeplay and aggressive approach propelled MI to a commanding victory.

The 14th match of IPL 2018 took place at Wankhede Stadium. After winning the toss, Virat Kohli chose to field first. Mumbai Indians set a challenging target of 213 runs in their allotted 20 overs, losing six wickets. The partnership between Evin Lewis and Rohit Sharma played a pivotal role in shaping Mumbai’s innings. While Lewis contributed a commendable 52 runs off 42 balls, Rohit showcased an exceptional performance, scoring 94 runs off 54 balls, including 10 boundaries and five sixes.

Rohit’s outstanding inning was crucial in decimating Royal Challengers Bangalore in the match. Mumbai Indians achieved a massive total of 213 runs, with Rohit being the driving force behind it. His remarkable batting display of 10 fours and 5 sixes propelled MI to victory by a significant 46-run margin.