Rohit Sharma completed his third century in the series at Ranchi and went on to convert it into a double hundred. Much like his ODI form, a numbered jersey seems to have brought out the best in the Mumbaikar in Test cricket too.
Rohit’s incredible series in numbers reached a high after the Ranchi Test and here we take a glance at his numbers:
Fifth-highest runs tally by an Indian opener in a Test series
He has 529 runs in three Tests at an average of 132.25 including two hundreds and a double century.
Most runs by an Indian opener in a Series | |||||
Player | Tests | Runs | Average | Against | Year |
Sunil Gavaskar | 4 | 774 | 154.8 | WI | 1970-71 |
Sunil Gavaskar | 6 | 732 | 91.5 | WI | 1978-79 |
Virender Sehwag | 3 | 544 | 90.66 | Pak | 2004-05 |
Sunil Gavaskar | 4 | 542 | 77.42 | Eng | 1979 |
Rohit Sharma | 3 | 529 | 132.25 | SA | 2019-20 |
Among the openers with the highest run tally, only Sunil Gavaskar – in tour of West Indies in 1970 – has a better average. The last Indian to make 500-plus runs in a series was Virender Sehwag in 2004-05 against Pakistan.
Read: India beat South Africa, sweep Test series 3-0
Third Indian to make a 200-plus score in two formats
By notching up a double ton, Rohit became the third Indian and fourth overall after Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Chris Gayle to make a 200-plus score in two formats of the game. Rohit’s 212 at Ranchi and 176 at Vizag feature in the top five Test scores by Indians against South Africa in Tests.
Virender Sehwag’s 319 tops the list while Kohli’s and Mayank’s double centuries in this series come above Rohit’s.
Best batting average in Tests at home
Rohit’s fondness for home conditions is well established. All of his six Test centuries have come at home. This is the second highest tally of centuries for any batsman with zero away tons, but what makes his home record stand out is his incredible average.
Best home batting averages in Tests | |||||
Player | Innings | Runs | Average | 100s | 50s |
RG Sharma (INDIA) | 18 | 1298 | 99.84 | 6 | 5 |
DG Bradman (AUS) | 50 | 4322 | 98.22 | 18 | 10 |
GA Headley (WI) | 18 | 1241 | 77.56 | 5 | 2 |
SPD Smith (AUS) | 50 | 3090 | 77.25 | 13 | 10 |
RM Cowper (AUS) | 14 | 1061 | 75.78 | 3 | 5 |
CL Walcott (WI) | 42 | 2584 | 69.83 | 11 | 9 |
VS Hazare (INDIA) | 20 | 1113 | 69.56 | 5 | 4 |
ED Weekes (WI) | 40 | 2420 | 69.14 | 7 | 10 |
RG Pollock (SA) | 26 | 1513 | 68.77 | 4 | 9 |
Among batsmen with 1000 runs at home in Tests, Rohit’s average of 99.84 is the best ever, even trumping the great Sir Donald Bradman. In 18 innings, Rohit has 11 scores above 50, six of which have been converted to hundreds. Bradman’s average of 98.22 in home Tests comes second to Rohit’s.
Read: Rohit Sharma will be India's game changer overseas, says batting coach
Most sixes by a batsman in a Test series
Like his Hitman avatar in ODIs, Rohit stood out with his acceleration in phases in this series as well. In the three-match series, Rohit has often started with caution before going berserk. In the series, Rohit has 16 sixes, the most by any batsman in any Test series.
In his new role as an opener in Tests, Rohit has revelled and stood out. It has confirmed his place at the top of the Indian line-up across formats at least until India tour New Zealand later this year.
Watch: Rohit Sharma's double century and all the records he created
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Money Sharma
