Under the shining sky of Kolkata… the lush green Eden Gardens – exactly 11 years ago today (November 13, 2014), the cricket world saw a sight that will always be remembered. Rohit Sharma, who was then called ‘talented but incomplete’, became not just a batsman but a magician that day. He performed such a charisma that his name was forever recorded in the history of cricket.
Before that match, Rohit had returned after recovering from injury. A finger injury had kept him sidelined for months, but perhaps fate knew – this comeback was not going to be an easy one. Fourth ODI of the series against Sri Lanka, Eden ground and echo of hope in the stands. Everything was normal in the beginning. The first 50 runs came in 72 balls, like a slow start to a long journey. But then it was as if someone had turned on an internal switch.
Bat storm: the story of ‘264’
After this, not Rohit’s bat, but the storm. The ball crossed the boundary… every shot landed in the heart of the stadium. He hit 33 fours and 9 sixes. Thisara Perera’s easy catch at third man proved costly for Sri Lanka. Because from there began the most brutal, most beautiful innings in history.
The century came run-a-ball, but the next 164 runs came in just 73 balls. The figure of 264 runs became not just a record but also a new parameter of cricket, which will always remind us of ‘Hitman’. India scored 404/5 and the entire Sri Lankan team together could only score 251 runs. But the memory of this match is not related to any victory or defeat, but to that ‘264’, which is still the highest peak of ODI cricket.
Eleven years later: Preparation for the second innings
But the wheel of time has turned. Eleven years later, the same Rohit Sharma is now preparing for his second innings. This time, we are moving towards giving proof not with runs but with passion. After returning after scoring a century against Australia, he is now ready to play on the home ground. BCCI clearly said- domestic cricket will have to be played. Sources are telling that he will play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy… because he has only one goal in front of him – to survive till the 2027 World Cup and give everything to make India the champion.
The challenge of repeating history
This is the same player who once wrote history with the bat and today wants to relive his own history. Sometimes played for records, now for a bigger fight than myself. Once set out to answer the critics, now they are going to challenge the times.
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