Kolkata: Rohit Sharma today created history by smashing the highest individual ODI score with a breathtaking knock of 264 as India thrashed Sri Lanka by 153 runs in the fourth cricket one-dayer to take a 4-0 lead in the five-match series, here Thursday.
Courtesy Rohit's mayhem, India scored a mammoth 404 for five and then easily bowled out the islanders for 251 in 43.1 overs.
Returning after a 10-week injury lay-off, Rohit had everything going his way after being let-off on individual score of four.
The Mumbaikar paced his innings to perfection as he first got set during the initial 50 runs before exploding against a clueless Lankan attack, as he scored his 264 off only 173 balls that had 33 fours and seven sixes.
In the process, Rohit also broke compatriot Virender Sehwag's earlier world record of 219 runs, which he had set against West Indies in Indore, back in 2011.
Rohit is also the only batsman to register two double centuries in ODIs and also now holds the record for highest number of boundaries during his innings.
The epic milestone was reached when Rohit hit an elegant cover drive off Nuwan Kulasekara to become the first batsman with two double hundreds in ODIs.
Rohit did have ‘Lady Luck' going his way as he was dropped twice after reaching his double hundred.
The stylish right-hander was all set to carry his bat through before he was holed out in the long-off region off the final delivery of the Indian innings.
Fittingly, he received a ‘Guard of Honour' from his teammates, who stood on both sides outside the dressing room with spectators also giving him a standing ovation.
It couldn't have been a more memorable innings on the 150th anniversary of the hallowed ground which has seen many outstanding individual performances.
Rohit's magnificent knock will rank among the very best played at this ground by the likes of VVS Laxman, Mohammed Azharuddin, Sachin Tendulkar to name a few.
The fifth and final match of the series will be played at Ranchi on November 16.
