Two good on second anniversary: 208 not out

Mohali : Rohit Sharma needed nine more runs to get his double hundred when the last over of the Indian innings began at the IS Bindra stadium here on Wednesday.
It was of course gettable, but he could have missed it too. However, there was perhaps not a single soul in the far-from-packed stadium who thought Sharma wouldn’t get there. There was an overwhelming sense of inevitability to India’s stand-in skipper getting his third double hundred in ODIs. And how right everyone was!
Eventually, Sharma needed just three balls to get to the magic figure — he sent the first ball, a low full toss, over square leg for a six, took two on the next, and a single on the third.
Overjoyed, he punched a hole in the air, raised his arms, waved to the cheering crowd, and blew a kiss to his teary-eyed wife Ritika, watching from one of the enclosures. Today was their wedding anniversary, and Sharma couldn’t have celebrated it any better!
“It was definitely the best anniversary gift I could have given her,” said Sharma. “It’s not every day that you score a double hundred, so it was nice that she was here to witness it. She got a little emotional… but yes, it’s the best gift.” Eventually, he remained unbeaten at 208. Off just 153 balls, studded with 13 fours and 12 sixes! And if that sounds impressive, read this: he brought up his hundred off 115 balls with the help of nine boundaries and a six; for his second hundred, he took just 36 balls, 54 minutes, smashing a mindboggling 11 sixes and four boundaries.