Rohit Sharma's 2019 Journey So Far: The Making of a Cricketing Genius | Sportsmonks Rohit Sharma 2019 Journey So Far
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Rohit Sharma’s 2019 Journey So Far: The Making of a Cricketing Genius

Rohit Sharma scored a 43-ball 85 in the second T20I game against Bangladesh in Rajkot, thereby helping India to level the series 1-1 in this three-match series. Rohit’s knock was designed by 12 hits to the fence as he was quite merciless against the Bangla bowlers. He helped India score 154/2 with 26 balls to spare, chasing down Bangladesh’s 153/6. Enroute to his knock, he broke a few records as well and rewrote some new ones as he stamped his authority in the match. Here’s a look back at his 2019 cricketing journey so far.

Rohit Sharma scored five centuries in World Cup 2019. Picture Source: Getty)
Rohit Sharma scored five centuries in World Cup 2019. Picture Source: Getty)

‘2019 has undoubtedly been Rohit Sharma’s year’ said former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan in an expert session with Cricbuzz before the start of the day’s play and the Indian opener has proved him right. 1232 ODI runs including five World Cup centuries, 529 Test runs in a single series against South Africa with three centuries as well and 300 T20I runs with three half-centuries just proves how much has the ‘Hitman’ enjoyed his batting this year. Touted as one of the best limited-overs openers in recent years, Rohit’s ability to score big runs consistently was what transpired in his performance this year. Struggling with indifferent starts in the past few years, Rohit worked on his game, leaving balls outside the off-stump and taking some at the start of his innings. His five centuries in the 2019 World Cup ( 122* vs SA, 140 vs Pakistan, 102 vs England, 104 vs Bangladesh, 103 vs Sri Lanka) was a record in itself in World Cup competitions. Rohit is the only cricketer to score 5 centuries in a single edition of a World Cup.

Rohit Sharma after scoring his fifty against Bangladesh in Rajkot. (Picture Source BCCI)
Rohit Sharma after scoring his fifty against Bangladesh in Rajkot. (Picture Source BCCI)

In T20Is as well, he was neck and neck with Virat Kohli throughout the year. Virat opted out of the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh which allowed Rohit to not only lead the side but also be the chief contributor in India’s win. After failing in Delhi, Rohit came out with a determination that was very visible in the way he played for his team. A 118-run opening stand with Shikhar Dhawan (31) to set up the platform for India’s chase, Rohit took the initiative and the charge on his own hands to make amends of his failure in the first game. Courtesy Rohit, India are back in the series and will live to fight for the final game in Nagpur on Sunday ( November 10). We all know Rohit as this prolific limited-overs international batsman, but where he really found his mojo this year was in Test cricket. With the Indian team management struggling to find an opener since the series in Australia last year, it was finally Rohit who came to the rescue. A number six batsman for the first 27 Tests in his career, Rohit struggled with form and failed to adapt to the format mentally. His constant failures reflected his inability to cope up with the necessities of the format which saw him being dropped from the Test side. He made a brief return as India toured South Africa and Australia in 2018. However, low scores meant that he was soon axed from the side.

Also Read:Bangladesh Tour of India 2019-20 Schedule

Rohit Sharma scored three centuries in the three-match series against South Africa at home earlier this year.
Rohit Sharma scored three centuries in the three-match series against South Africa at home earlier this year. (Picture Souce: BCCI)

Recalled into the Indian Test side for the three-match series against South Africa after his memorable World Cup stint in England, Rohit was asked to open for the first time in his career. Three centuries including a double century (212 in Ranchi) at the top of the order helped him establish himself reboot his career and get back into the Test side. With India slated to play a two-match Test series against Bangladesh after the completion of the T20I series, Rohit has a golden opportunity to add to his tally which already has crossed 500 in just three Test matches. His numbers in all the formats this year has made him a potential candidate to win ICC’s Player of the Year. Having found his true potential as a cricketer in 2019, Rohit would like to end the year on a good note by scoring some more runs and contributing to some more wins for India in the final two months of the year.

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