Kolkata: There have been cricketers who have scripted unbelievable success stories at particular venues, from Brian Lara at St.Johns, Antigua to Sachin at Chepauk and SCG, legends galore of how these performers transformed the game in to a different art altogether at specific. Batsmen, especially seem to have an added dimension to their stroke play at certain grounds, the ball just tends to come better off
the deck, the crowd is behind you and more often than not, in such love stories, even the boundaries
looks shorter for them. Eden Gardens is a lucky groundfor many such Indian cricketers specially VVS Laxman and Mohammed Azharuddin. Rohit Sharma is the latest addition in this list.
Rohit Sharma’s 5 best performances at the Eden Gardens are listed below:
- 264 vs Sri Lanka: Also the second-highest score in List A cricket, which includes domestic one-dayers as well, after Surrey’s Ali Brown who holds the record, for his innings of 268 against Glamorgan in 2002, this is considered by many as perhaps the best knock ever played in ODIs. It also made him the first batsman to score 2 double centuries in international limited overs cricket. In November 2013, Rohit had scored 209 against Australia.
- 177 vs West Indies: On November 7, 2013 at what his favourite stadium, Rohit Sharma became the 14th Indian batsman to score a century on Test debut. In what was also Sachin Tendulkar’s 199th and penultimate Test, the fellow Mumbaikar made the opportunity count after finally being bestowed with an opportunity in whites after having played 108 ODIs for the country.
- 98 and 109 In IPL: Even in IPL, Sharma seems to have a definite liking for this gorund. Earlier this year, his team – Mumbai Indians (MI) were reeling at 37 for 3 in the sixth over when Corey Anderson joined MI captain Rohit Sharma at the crease. The pair added 131 from 88 balls as MI finished on 168 for 3. Leading the attack was Rohit, who finished with 98 not out from 65 balls with 12 fours and four sixes. Though they lost the game, the inspirational captain added another chapter to his love story with Eden. Also in 2012, he had scored 109 at- not so surprisingly- the same venue!
- IPL triumphs for Mumbai Indians In 2013 & 2015: Rohit’s first IPL title with the Mumbai Indians franchisee came in 2013. In only his initial days of taking up the added responsibility of captaincy, he shined and led his team brilliantly to take them home and lift the coveted trophy after taking over the captaincy from Ricky Ponting. He obviously pulled off an encore on May 24 earlier this year.
- 200 in a Ranji Trophy match vs Bengal: Rohit smashed a double ton (200 off just 257 balls) against Bengal in 2011. He scored the double ton against after coming into the bat when the score was 236 for 3. Studded with 23 fours and 3 sixes, it propelled Mumbai to score 621 and seal a crucial first innings lead.
Rohit Sharma scored a brilliant 98* again at the Eden Gardens on Thursday in a warm up tie against West Indies for the World T20. At the post match press conference, Rohit Sharma looked satisfied with his knock. The “Hitman” of Indian Cricket quoted as saying, “Eden has always been my lucky ground. I have not gone into bat looking back at my previous record at this ground.”
“I tried to play my natural game. To get runs at the start of ICC World T20 will give me confidence.”
“I do not regret missing the ton as the team comes first. My role was to stay out there and build on the innings as two wickets fell early. This will be role in this WorldT0″.