Dropped In 2011, Rohit Making Up For Lost Time At World Cups

The India skipper has come a long way, adding new records to his tally as he aims to lead the team to the biggest prize of all

- VIVEK KRISHNAN

AHMEDABAD: Rohit Sharma's first World Cup game was against Pakistan on February 15, 2015. He was about two months shy of turning 28, a rather belated entry to the pinnacle of 50-over cricket for someone who made his debut in the format as a 20-year-old in 2007. Eight years and 18 matches later, as another marquee clash against Pakistan awaits, Sharma stands in World Cup 'Hall of Fame' territory.

Fastest hundred by an Indian in World Cup history? Check.

Most hundreds in a single World Cup? Check. Most hundreds in World Cup history? Check.

There's more in ODI cricket. Highest individual score in the format? Check. Most double centuries? Check.

In this long list of HTC records, it is pertinent to WOR draw attention to Sharma's just-acquired distinction of most hundreds in World Cups. Tied with Sachin Tendulkar at six centuries before India's clash against Afghanistan on Wednesday, Sharma's breathtaking 84-ball 131 has helped him enter a league of his own.

He now has seven hundreds in 19 innings. Tendulkar's six tons took 44 innings across six World Cups. Kumar Sangakkara's five hundreds came in 35 innings.

Ricky Ponting, whose unbeaten 140 against India in the 2003 World Cup final counts among the best knocks ever, needed 42 innings to rack up five centuries.

The comparison with these greats is simply to lend context to why Sharma's conversion ratehe has scored a century once every 2.7 innings on average in the World Cup-is jaw dropping.