(Image source from: PTI)
Veteran Indian opener Rohit Sharma set multiple records during the third and final One Day International match against Afghanistan in Chennai on Saturday. The right-handed batsman powerfully hit 79 runs off only 69 balls. His performance included nine fours and three sixes. India's target was a low 219 runs to achieve a clean sweep in the three-match series, and Rohit’s innings helped the team easily reach the goal. Yashasvi Jaiswal also took advantage of his chance, scoring an unbeaten century with 110 runs off 86 balls. At 39 years and 51 days old, Rohit became the oldest Indian player to score a half-century in ODI matches. He broke the previous record held by Mohinder Amarnath, who was 39 years and 21 days old when he scored 88 runs off 80 balls against Pakistan in Sharjah on October 15, 1989.
Rohit also set another significant record. He had already surpassed legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar in total runs as an Indian opener in international cricket, and on Saturday, he overtook Virender Sehwag to take the lead.
India achieved a clean sweep in the three-match ODI series with a solid nine-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the final game, with Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring an unbeaten century. He teamed up with Rohit Sharma to create a 170-run opening partnership, making the chase very easy on Saturday. While chasing a modest target of 219 runs, India reached the finish line in just 28.4 overs with the loss of one wicket. Earlier, fast bowler Prasidh Krishna took down Afghanistan’s top order, capturing four quick wickets and finishing his spell with impressive numbers of 5 for 23 as Afghanistan was all out for 218 in 44.2 overs. Even with Krishna's remarkable performance, Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi remained strong, scoring his first ODI century and helping his team recover after being at 36 for 4 in the 10th over. Shahidi, who had a quiet series until that point, hit 13 boundaries and one six in his 131-ball inning of 102, while Azmatullah Omarzai gave important support with a quick 50 runs off 56 balls.
