5 Rohit Sharma - Virat Kohli double century partnerships in ODIs

The current Indian team Captain and Vice Captain have been the backbone of Indian batting line up in limited overs cricket for a while. While Virat Kohli is known for his consistency to score runs game after game, Rohit Sharma is known for his lazy elegance and big daddy hundreds in limited overs cricket.

Both the batsmen have been in a steady form since the Champions trophy 2013 and have played integral roles in India’s ODI triumphs over the years. The solid top order of Team India has finished off many games in the last few years and the combination of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were involved in 5 double century partnerships in ODI cricket.

Let us relive the 5 double century partnerships between the modern day legends.

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#1 202 vs Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens 2014

Rohit Sharma scored a double century in this game

A day to remember for Rohit Sharma as he set the world on fire with the highest Individual ODI score of 264 against Sri Lanka at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Electing to bat first on a bright sunny day, India lost Ajinkya Rahane and Ambati Rayudu within the first 15 overs and were in a spot of bother. Virat Kohli joined Rohit Sharma in the middle and the pair started milking the Sri Lankan bowlers.

Initially, it was Virat Kohli who was the aggressor amongst the two as he started scoring runs at ease. Rohit Sharma was slow, to begin with, but he started picking the pace up in the middle overs stage of the innings.

The pair took on the Sri Lankan bowlers and plundered boundaries at will. They put on 200 runs partnership with ease and were looking in ominous form. However, an indecision in the middle resulted in the run-out of Virat Kohli for a breezy 66. Thus, the partnership of 202 ended with a runout.

What happened next was history as Rohit Sharma blazed away to 264 and India put up a daunting total of 404/5 to which Sri Lanka could only manage 251.

India won the game by 153 runs and Rohit Sharma was adjudged Man of the Match.

#2 207 vs Australia at Perth 2016

Rohit scored a century in this match but in a losing cause

This was the first game of the 5 match ODI series in 2016 between Australia and India that was played in Perth. Electing to bat first, India lost Shikhar Dhawan in the 7th over and the onus was on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to steady the ship.

The conditions were ideal to bat and the duo of Rohit and Virat made full use of the conditions. The pair initially saw out the new ball and later went on to milk the opposition bowlers. The likes of Joel Paris, Mitchell Marsh and Scott Boland were taken to cleaners by the duo and runs were scored at a decent rate.

The pair added 207 runs for the 2nd wicket before Virat Kohli was caught at the long-on boundary off the bowling of James Faulkner for a brilliant 91 of 97 deliveries. Rohit Sharma continued in his merry way as he notched up another century and remained not out on 171.

India ended up posting a challenging total of 309/3 in 50 overs, however, this was not enough as the Australians cruised home in the last over with 5 wickets to spare.

#3 219 vs Sri Lanka in Colombo 2017

Kohli scored a brilliant 131 for the Man of the Match

This was the 4th ODI played between Sri Lanka and India at the Premadasa Stadium in the year 2017. Electing to bat first on a flat deck, India lost Shikhar Dhawan in the very second over. The responsibility was again on the shoulders of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to rescue the Indian batting.

The pair started attacking the Sri Lankan bowlers right from the word go and no bowler was spared. The pair kept hitting boundaries at will and continued scoring at more than 7 runs per over throughout.

Virat Kohli brought up his century first and it was followed by Rohit Sharma. The pair added 219 runs for the second wicket before Virat Kohli drove one straight to the fielder at cover point boundary. Incidentally, this was Lasith Malinga’s 300th ODI wicket.

Virat Kohli’s 131 comprised of 17 boundaries and 2 maximums off 96 deliveries. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma continued his good form and walked his way to another ODI century before being stumped off the bowling of Angelo Matthews for a well-made 104.

Rohit’s knock of 104 consisted of 11 boundaries and 3 hits to the fence off just 88 deliveries. India managed to put up a daunting total of 375/5 in 50 overs to which Sri Lanka could only score 207/10.

India won the game by 168 runs and Virat Kohli was awarded the Man of the Match.

#4 230 vs New Zealand in Kanpur 2017

India won the match and the series against New Zealand

This was the decider game between India and New Zealand that was played at Kanpur. Put into bat first, India got off to a decent start before losing Shikhar Dhawan for 14. India were 29-1 in the 7th over and in-walked Virat Kohli to the crease to accompany Rohit Sharma.

Both the batsmen took time to settle in the crease and adjust to the pace of the pitch. The pair negotiated the burst of Tim Southee and Trent Boult in the powerplay. The pair then started to milk the Kiwi bowlers in the middle stages of the innings and looked well set to put up a good total on the board.

Rohit Sharma was the aggressor amongst the two as he took on the likes of Colin de Grandhomme, Adam Milne and Mitchell Santner. The pair added 230 runs for the 2nd wicket and Rohit Sharma was the top scorer with a magnificent 147 of just 138 deliveries. His innings comprised of 18 boundaries and 2 maximums before being dismissed off the bowling of Mitchell Santner caught at long-off.

Virat Kohli marched his way to a well made 113 of 106 deliveries, his knock comprised of 9 boundaries and 1 huge six. He was caught at long-off too of the bowling of Tim Southee in the 47th over. India managed to put up a daunting score of 337/6 in their allocated 50 overs.

In reply, New Zealand came close to winning the game but for some brilliant death bowling by the likes of Jasprit Bumrah to deny New Zealand the victory. In the end, the Kiwis fell short by 6 runs and India won the decider game and the series 2-1.

#5 246 vs West Indies at Guwahati 2018

Kohli looked dangerous from the very first ball he faced

This was a couple of days ago when the pair of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma proved why they are best partners in limited overs cricket. Put into bat first, West Indies put up a challenging total of 322/8 in their allocated 50 overs. This was largely due to some attacking stroke-play by Shimron Hetmeyer, who scored a brilliant 106 off just 78 deliveries.

He was aided by cameos from Rovman Powell and Jason Holder in the middle order along with Devendra Bishoo and Kemar Roach, who scored valuable runs, in the end, to help Windies put up a formidable score of 322/8 in 50 overs.

In reply, India lost the left-handed opener Shikhar Dhawan for 4 in the second over. However, what followed was absolute carnage as both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli plundered the hapless Windies bowlers all over the ground. The target of 323 never posed any threat for the duo as they kept scoring boundaries at will.

The pair added 246 runs for the second wicket and the Windies bowlers were shattered. Virat Kohli’s 140 comprised of 21 boundaries and 2 huge sixes, whereas Rohit Sharma’s 152* consisted of 15 boundaries and 8 huge maximums.

The target of 323 was chased in 42.1 overs by Team India and the game was won quite convincingly. Virat Kohli was awarded Man of the Match for his brilliant 140 that set up the win for Team India.