Rohit Sharma on his 2013 ODI double century: '16 sixes was a record'
Synopsis
More than a decade later, Rohit Sharma's 2013 Diwali innings still resonates — a first ODI double century, 16 sixes that set a record, 398 runs on the board, and a series win by a nerve-shredding margin. On Family Full House's Diwali special, Rohit revisited it all with Ritesh Agarwal, and teased fans with a promise to 'try' to outdo himself in New Zealand.
Key Takeaways
Rohit Sharma revisited his historic first ODI double century on the Diwali special of Family Full House .
The innings came against Australia in Bengaluru in November 2013 , a day before Diwali, in a series-deciding fifth match.
India and Australia were level at 2-2 before the decider; India won by approximately 20-25 runs after posting 398 runs .
Rohit hit 16 sixes in the innings — a record in ODI cricket at the time for the most sixes by an individual in a single innings.
The episode also features Shark Tank India judges Aman Gupta , Anupam Mittal , Namita Thapar , and Ritesh Agarwal , plus four stand-up comedians.
Former India captain Rohit Sharma revisited his historic first ODI double century — scored against Australia in Bengaluru on 2 November 2013, a day before Diwali — during an upcoming episode of the celebrity talk show Family Full House. The conversation, sparked by Shark Tank India judge and entrepreneur Ritesh Agarwal, brought back memories of one of the most celebrated innings in Indian ODI history.
The Innings That Defined a Diwali
The special Diwali episode of Family Full House features Shark Tank India judges Aman Gupta, Anupam Mittal, Namita Thapar, and Ritesh Agarwal, alongside comedians Anubhav Singh Bassi, Harsh Gujral, Aakash Gupta, and Rahul Dua. During the episode, Agarwal prompted Sharma to reflect on how Diwali and cricket have frequently overlapped in his career, zeroing in on the landmark 2013 knock.
Sharma confirmed the innings remains his most treasured Diwali cricket memory. 'Bilkul, wahi hai. Mera sabse pehla double century tha aur woh aise time pe aaya jahan par humein series jeetna tha,' he said — translating to: 'Absolutely, that is the one. It was my first double century and it came at a time when we had to win the series.'
Series on the Line, Records in the Making
Rohit recalled the high-stakes context of the knock. India and Australia were level at 2-2 in the series heading into the decider at Bengaluru. India posted 398 runs on the board — a ground record at the time — yet won the match by only around 20 to 25 runs, underlining just how competitive the contest was. The result handed India the series.
'Woh series ka aakhri match tha, toh mera pehla double 100 tha, series bhi jeet gaye. Bangalore mein record ho gaya, humne 398 run banaye hain, phir bhi hum shayad 20 ya 25 run se hi jeete the woh match,' Sharma said.
The Six-Hitting Record That Still Stands in Memory
Agarwal reminded Rohit of another remarkable statistic from that innings — 16 sixes, a feat Sharma acknowledged was a landmark in its own right. 'Woh apne aap mein ek record tha ODI cricket mein, kisi bhi innings mein itne chhakke pehle kabhi nahi lage the individually,' Rohit said — meaning: 'That in itself was a record in ODI cricket. Never before had so many sixes been hit individually in an innings.'
Notably, the innings cemented Rohit's reputation as one of the most destructive openers in the format, a standing he went on to build over the following decade as India's most capped ODI captain.
A Playful Challenge Ahead of New Zealand Tour
Keeping the mood light, Agarwal cheekily asked whether Rohit's upcoming tour of New Zealand could see the six-hitting record broken. Responding with characteristic ease, Rohit said: 'Koshish toh karunga, sir' — 'I will certainly try, sir.' The exchange drew warm applause from the studio audience and underscored the affection cricket fans carry for that landmark innings more than a decade on.
Point of View
But so is the subtext — Rohit's 2013 Bengaluru knock wasn't just a personal milestone, it was the moment Indian cricket found a new template for ODI dominance at the top of the order. What this Family Full House conversation captures is how deeply that innings is embedded in collective cricket memory, not just Rohit's own. The more interesting question, quietly raised by Ritesh Agarwal's New Zealand challenge, is whether Rohit — now in the twilight of his international career — still has that mode available to him. Given India's recent ODI form, the answer matters well beyond a TV chat show.
NationPress
6 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Rohit Sharma score his first ODI double century?
Rohit Sharma scored his first ODI double century on 2 November 2013, a day before Diwali, against Australia in Bengaluru. It came in the fifth and deciding match of the series, which India won by roughly 20-25 runs after posting 398.
How many sixes did Rohit Sharma hit in his first ODI double century?
Rohit Sharma hit 16 sixes during that innings, which he described as a record in ODI cricket at the time — the most sixes hit by an individual batter in a single ODI innings.
What is the Family Full House Diwali episode featuring Rohit Sharma?
It is an upcoming special Diwali episode of the celebrity talk show Family Full House, featuring Rohit Sharma alongside Shark Tank India judges Aman Gupta, Anupam Mittal, Namita Thapar, and Ritesh Agarwal, as well as comedians Anubhav Singh Bassi, Harsh Gujral, Aakash Gupta, and Rahul Dua.
What was the significance of Rohit Sharma's 2013 Bengaluru double century?
India and Australia were tied 2-2 in the series going into the decider. Rohit's double century helped India post 398 runs — a ground record at the time — and win the match and the series. It was also the first time Rohit reached a double century in ODIs.
Did Rohit Sharma say he would try to break his six-hitting record in New Zealand?
Yes. When Ritesh Agarwal playfully asked whether Rohit could surpass his 16-sixes record on the upcoming New Zealand tour, Rohit responded with characteristic humour: 'Koshish toh karunga, sir' — 'I will certainly try, sir.'
