Rohit Sharma 264: The Record-Breaking Inning That Redefined ODI Batting

On November 13, 2014, at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Indian opener Rohit Sharma etched his name into the cricket history books forever. He scored a monumental 264 runs against Sri Lanka, a feat that remains the highest individual score in One Day International (ODI) cricket to this day . This wasn’t just a century or even a double century; it was a knock that redefined the limits of batting in the 50-over format.

The Inning That Broke the Record Books

Rohit’s historic inning of 264 came off just 173 balls. It was a masterclass in pacing an ODI knock, starting with caution before unleashing pure aggression. The inning was studded with a record-equalling 33 fours and 9 massive sixes, meaning the majority of his runs came from boundaries . Remarkably, his inning began with a stroke of luck—he was dropped on just 4 by Thisara Perera, a mistake Sri Lanka would regret immensely .

  • The Slow Start: Rohit reached his first 100 runs off exactly 100 balls, building a solid foundation .
  • The Acceleration: His second fifty came in a breathtaking 25 balls, showcasing his shift from anchor to aggressor .
  • The Final Onslaught: He reached his double century in 151 balls. In the final 22 balls he faced, he smashed 9 fours and 3 sixes to propel India to a massive total .

Why This 264 Matters

Rohit Sharma’s 264 is significant for several reasons that go beyond the sheer number of runs:

  • The Highest ODI Score: It surpassed the previous record of 219 held by Virender Sehwag by a massive margin of 45 runs .
  • First Player with Two Double Tons: With this inning, Rohit became the first cricketer in history to score two ODI double centuries. He has since added a third, making him the only player to achieve this feat .
  • Single-Handed Dominance: India posted a total of 404/5. The next highest score in the inning was Virat Kohli’s 66, highlighting Rohit’s complete dominance . In fact, he scored more runs than the entire Sri Lankan team, who were bowled out for 251 .
  • Record for Fours: His 33 boundaries in a single ODI inning is another record that still stands, underlining his ability to find the fence with incredible consistency .

Conclusion

Rohit Sharma’s 264 is more than just a personal milestone; it is a landmark moment in the history of limited-overs cricket. It demonstrated that with a solid foundation and explosive power, a batter could occupy the crease for the entire 50 overs and completely reshape a team’s total. Over a decade later, the “Rohit Sharma 264” inning remains the gold standard for individual brilliance in ODI cricket, a testament to the ‘Hitman’s’ extraordinary talent .