Rohit Sharma scored 44 runs off 32 balls in the first T20I of the 3-match series against Sri Lanka on Thursday in Lucknow. En route his knock, Sharma, now India’s all-format captain, became the leading run-scorer in T20 internationals as he went past New Zealand’s Martin Guptill who has so far amassed 3299 runs.
Sharma started his innings on 3263 T20I career runs. Sharma equalled Guptill’s mark with a gigantic six off spinner Jeffrey Vandersay and then took a single to become the leading run-scorer in the shortest international format.
Rohit Sharma has now scored a total of 3307 runs in 115 innings at an average of 33. Guptill has recorded 3299 runs in 108 innings at 32.66. Sharma has slammed 4 T20I centuries – the most by any batter – and 26 fifties – the second most after Kohli’s 30. Guptill has notched up 2 tons and 20 half-centuries.
Guptill, the New Zealand opener, though is the leading six-hitter in T20Is with 165 hits over the fence. India opener Rohit has 10 fewer sixes than his Kiwi counterpart.
Former India skipper Virat Kohli is behind Rohit and Guptill in terms of runs in T20Is with 3296 runs – just 3 behind Guptill – in 89 innings with a best of 94*. Kohli’s average, however, of 51 is much better than both Rohit and Guptill.
Speaking about the India-Sri Lanka T20I, Rohit played the anchor role as Ishan Kishan hammered the Sri Lankan bowlers. Kishan, who had struggled for fluent timing against the West Indies and was criticised for his lack of intent, cleared his intent early on with three fours off Chamika Karunaratne. He then clubbed Lahiru Kumara for a six and a four followed by another big one to Dushmantha Chameera.
Kishan, though, was given a life when dropped in the deep off Vandersay when he was on 43, and then added salt to the wounds of the bowler by walloping him for boundaries. He saw Rohit dismissed at the other end, and also struggled with his hamstring, but continued to pound the Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground.
Kishan missed his century by 11 runs but had given the incoming batters a strong platform and depleted bowlers to pounce upon.
