ICC World Cup 2019,India vs South Africa: Rohit Sharma hits 23rd ODI ton, joins elite list

Rohit Sharma scored his 23rd ODI century to put India on course of victory during their ICC World Cup 2019 opener against South Africa.

Rohit Sharma scored his 23rd ODI century to put India on course of victory during their ICC World Cup 2019 opener against South Africa in Southampton on Wednesday.

India's Rohit Sharma raises his bat to celebrate scoring a century. (AP)

It was a brilliant knock by the opener as he brought up the feat in 128 balls with the help of 10 boundaries and 2 sixes.This was his second World Cup century after scoring 137 (126) against Bangladesh in Melbourne during the 2015 edition.

READ: India vs South Africa Live Score, ICC World Cup 2019 match at Southampton

Thanks to this century, he also became the ninth Indian cricketer to face 12,000 international runs after Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli, Sourav Ganguly, MS Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, Mohammad Azharuddin and Sunil Gavaskar.

When it comes to most number of ODI centuries scored by an Indian batsman, he surpassed Ganguly who has 22. Tendulkar tops the charts with 49 while skipper Kohli has scored 41 tons.

Most ODI hundreds in run chases:

25 Virat Kohli

17 Sachin Tendulkar

12 Chris Gayle

11 Tilakratne Dilshan/ ROHIT SHARMA

.Chasing a modest 228, India cruised to victory on the back of Sharma’s 122 not out as they won with 15 balls to spare and live up to their tag as one of the favourites for the showpiece event.

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For South Africa, a third straight defeat in as many matches this World Cup left their hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals on a knife edge.

Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal laid the platform for victory as India restricted an injury-hit South Africa to 227 for nine in 50 overs.

Chahal returned figures of 4-51 after Bumrah did the early damage by dismissing both South Africa openers.

(With agency inputs)