India opener matches David Miller's 35-ball century with rapid ton against Sri Lanka as hosts rack up 260-5 in Indore
Friday 22 December 2017 17:23, UK
Rohit Sharma equalled the fastest hundred in international Twenty20 cricket when he thrashed a 35-ball century in India's 88-run victory over Sri Lanka in Indore.
The India opener, who was dismissed for 118 from his 43rd ball, matched South Africa's David Miller, who scored a 35-ball century against Bangladesh in Potchefstroom in October.
Rohit smashed 10 sixes and 12 fours as India racked up 260-5 in the second T20, the joint-second highest total in Twenty20 internationals, matching Sri Lanka's 260-6 against Kenya in Johannesburg in 2007 and only narrowly beaten by the 263-3 Australia amassed against Sri Lanka at Pallekele in 2016.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Rohit said: "The stage was set, it was good conditions to bat. I was trying to do what I always try and do - hit through the line and have some fun.
"I try not to over-hit, I rely on timing the ball well and holding my shape. That is the most important part to your batting."
Kusal Perera (77 off 37) led Sri Lanka's reply but the tourists were dismissed for 172 in 17.2 overs - Kuldeep Yadav's three-wicket burst in the 15th over ending any faint hopes they had - as India wrapped up the series with a game to spare, having won the opener in Cuttack on Wednesday by 93 runs.
Yuzvendra Chahal (4-52) bagged three scalps in the 16th over as Sri Lanka, faced with a daunting run rate, crumbled from 145-1 - Chahal triggering the collapse when he caught Upul Tharanga (47 off 29) off his bowling in the 14th.
Angelo Mathews was unable to bat for Sri Lanka after suffering a hamstring injury two balls into his third over.
Rohit - the only man to hit three double tons in ODI cricket, his latest coming against Sri Lanka in Mohali earlier this month - put on an India record 165 with KL Rahul (89 off 49 balls) for the opening wicket, the pair topping the 158 Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan had smashed against New Zealand in Delhi on November 1.
Chris Gayle's 30-ball hundred for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in the IPL in 2013 remains the quickest century in all Twenty20 cricket, with Andrew Symonds smearing a 34-ball ton for Kent against Middlesex at Maidstone in 2004.
Watch the third and final Twenty20 international between India and Sri Lanka, in Mumbai, live from 1.20pm on Sky Sports Cricket on Sunday (Christmas Eve).
