Sharma smashes double ton as India sink Australia

India’s 26-year-old batting star, Rohit Sharma, became the third batsman to score a double hundred in ODIs, after compatriots Virender Sehwag (219* vs WI) and Sachin Tendulkar (200* vs SA), as his side notched up a mammoth 383/6 against Australia in the series-deciding 7th ODI in Bangalore.

Sharma's 209 included a whopping 16 sixes, a new record in ODIs, and 12 fours and came of a mere 158 balls and left Australia having to complete the second highest successful ODI run chase of all time to win the series, a target they fell short of by 57 runs despite a valiant counter-attacking hundred by James Faulkner.

“Getting a 200 in the ODI format is a wonderful feeling,” said Sharma.

“We knew it's small ground and runs are easy to come by, so we wanted to stay in and capitalise.

“I was disappointed not getting a hundred in the last game, so I wanted to play big and keep the momentum going.”