History created! Rohit Sharma surpasses Martin Guptill to become highest T20I run-getter
Auckland: Rohit Sharma, on Friday, scripted history by becoming the batsman with most T20I runs following his 50-run knock off 29 deliveries in the second T20I match between India and New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland. Rohit surpassed Kiwi batter Martin Guptill, who has 2272 runs to his name in the shortest format of the game. The Indian opener now has 2288 runs under his belt, which he scored in 92 matches at an average of 32.68. ‘Hitman’ now has four tons and 16 half-centuries to his name in the shorter format of the game.
In T20Is, Rohit now has most runs (2288), most centuries (four) and most partnership runs (1480) with his opening partner Shikhar Dhawan. In the second T20I against New Zealand, India started the 159-run chase in brilliant fashion as openers Dhawan and Rohit helped the Men in Blue get off to a flyer as the duo scored 79 runs for the opening wicket before Ish Sodhi dismissed Rohit in the 10th over of the match. Rohit, in his 50-run knock, smashed four sixes and three boundaries at a sensational strike rate of 172.41.
Earlier, the Kiwis had scored 158-8 in 20 overs after Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to bat first. The hosts looked to have lost their plot as they were hovering at 50-4 after eight overs, but Ross Taylor (42) and Colin de Grandhomme (50) stitched a brilliant partnership to power New Zealand to a competitive total.
In the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli, the Men in Blue started the three-match T20I series by losing the first match by 80 runs. The defeat was the worst for India in T20Is as the Indian batters failed to chase the 220-run target set by New Zealand.
After the New Zealand tour, India will shift their focus towards the home series against Australia, where they will lock horns in two T20Is and five ODIs, starting from February 24.