I just went through my routine – Rohit delighted with latest double hundred

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Mohali, Dec 14: Rohit Sharma's sensational batting exploits in one-day cricket were on display again in Chandigarh as he led India to a 141-run victory over Sri Lanka with his third double hundred.

No other batsman has registered a score of 200 more than once in the 50-over format – a list that includes Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Chris Gayle and Martin Guptill – but Rohit now has three to his name.

His latest innings – 208 not out – came off 153 balls, with 13 boundaries and a superb 12 maximums. Sharma needed just 36 balls to reach 200, having needed 115 for his first ton.

The tourists only reached 251-8 in reply, Angelo Mathews' unbeaten 111 paling into insignificance compared to Rohit's exploits.

When asked by Ravi Shastri to sum up his efforts, Rohit simply told the BCCI website: "I just went through my routine."

The opener - who is leading India in place of regular skipper Virat Kohli - added: "My strength is timing the ball, I was just looking to time the ball, get in the line of the ball and time the ball.

"I know I'm not someone like MS Dhoni or Chris Gayle, I don't have so much power, I rely a lot on timing and that's exactly what I did.

"I kept telling myself 'unless I make a mistake, I'm not going to get out'. I want them to get me out, not to throw away my wicket.

"I was quite determined to bat for as long as possible. We knew the wicket was superb and the out-field was lightning fast. I kept telling myself I need to hold the position, hold the shape and hit through the line, and that's all I did."

Rohit's knock helped India level the three-match series at 1-1, with the decider set to take place in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.

Source: OPTA