India captain Rohit Sharma scored a breathtaking hundred to bounce back to form ahead of Champions Trophy 2025 during the second ODI against England on Sunday, February 9 at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack. Rohit registered his first ODI century since 11th October 2023 as he looked at his usual best at the crease.
The opening batter reached the landmark in just 76 balls and answered his critics in style with his quick-fire innings. The India captain was at his belligerent best, smashing 12 fours and seven sixes in his innings. Every shot from Rohit’s bat worked as a healing potion on the wounds of his fans, who stood by him as he endured a prolonged poor run in India’s recent long Test season.
Rohit registered his first fifty-plus score after 12 innings in international cricket as he brought up his half-century off just 30 balls. He reached the 80-run mark off just 56 balls and took another 20 more deliveries to complete his century. He reached the three-figure mark by using his feet against Adil Rashid and smashing him over long off for a maximum.
It was the second-fastest century for the opening batter after his 63-ball ton against Afghanistan in 2023. Rohit began his innings cautiously, scoring just one run off the first six deliveries before taking on Gus Atkinson in the second over as he found his first boundary towards point. Rohit further flicked him for a six on the very next ball, sending the packed crowd inside the stadium into a frenzy.
Rohit destroys Saqib Mahmood
The two boundaries calmed the nerves in Rohit’s head as he found his groove and played a gorgeous lofted cover drive against Saqib Mahmood to register his second six in the third over. Mahmood was on the receiving end of another effortless six from Rohit’s bat as the India captain began looking at his annihilating best, giving ominous for England.
There was a slight delay between the Indian innings after the sixth over due to a floodlight issue. However, it didn’t interrupt the rhythm of the India skipper who collected another boundary against Mahmood after the resumption of play. Rohit also survived a close lbw shout against Mark Wood in the eighth over as the on-field call of not out saved him on the DRS.
The India captain was in no mood to stop and made his intentions clear by launching Wood’s next delivery for a maximum over long-on. He finally brought up his fifty with a couple of boundaries against Rashid and acknowledged the crowd’s support by raising his bat.
Meanwhile, Rohit was finally dismissed for 119 off 90 deliveries as he tried to go big against Liam Livingstone. He was given rousing applause by the the crowd as he walked back to the pavilion.