Rohit Sharma: India's most bankable big-match player

#9 66 vs Australia (2008 CB series first final at Sydney)

Rohit Sharma celebrates his 50 in the final

The CB series in 2008 (in Australia) was a tri-nation tournament with Australia and Sri Lanka the other two teams. India had never won a traditional tri-nation ODI series in Australia but managed to make it to the finals alongside the hosts.

The first final was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Australia batted first and set India a target of 240. India at one stage in the chase were 87/3 when 20-year-old Rohit Sharma joined his idol Sachin Tendulkar at the crease. Rohit and Sachin added 123 runs for the 4th wicket and ensured that India took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three final.

Rohit's knock of 66 (87) showed a glimpse of the talent he possessed. India went on to beat Australia in the second final at Brisbane and won the CB series for the first time.