When Rohit Sharma Scored A Test Double Century In Ranchi

image-lsvj7rz7Rohit Sharma has happy memories of playing a Test in Ranchi [X.com]

The 2019 home series against South Africa was a pathbreaking one in the career of Indian skipper and veteran batter Rohit Sharma, who transformed his fortunes at the Test level by starting to open the innings versus the Proteas. 

Over the three Tests played in October-November for the prestigious Gandhi-Mandela Trophy, the prodigious right-handed batter had a prolific initiation as India's new top-order player and scored a whopping 529 runs with three century-plus scores. 

Of the three major milestones the elegant batter produced against the tourists, his double hundred in the final Test played in Ranchi stood out for the sheer class and pedigree on display with the experienced Mumbaikar, who belted the Proteas for 212 off just 255 deliveries.


When Rohit Smashed Double Ton In Ranchi 

Heading to Ranchi for the fourth Test against England, the 36-year-old would have the fondest of memories of batting at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Jharkhand as he pulverised the Kagiso Rabada-led bowling attack for the best part of the pivotal Day 1 of the Test match. 

Winning the toss and batting first, the dominant hosts suffered a rare hiccup for the series, losing 3 early wickets for just 39 runs on the first morning with Rabada exploiting the early new-ball phase superbly. However, Rohit managed to suppress his threat and aided India's recovery alongside fellow centurion Ajinkya Rahane. 

The instrumental partnership for the fourth wicket added 267 runs and allowed India to regain ascendancy, which had been the norm of the series they won 3-0. Even after Rahane departed, Rohit stayed focus and determined to hammer the Proteas bowling and did so with great command and belligerence. 

His enterprising double ton was Rohit's first and only one in Test cricket for India, fetched at an exceptional strike-rate of 83.14 while including 28 fours and 6 sixes. The innings helped India beat the visitors by an innings & 202 runs and completed the series that Rohit would recall as the most important point of transformation in his Test career.