Indian captain Rohit Sharma delivered a masterclass in ODI batting, silencing his critics with a elegant century, his thirty second in ODIs, towards England within the second ODI in Cuttack on Sunday (February 9). His innings was a testomony to his class, composure, and talent to anchor a chase, as he performed an impressive knock stuffed with beautiful timing and stylish strokeplay.
Rohit Sharma’s elegant century in India’s series-sealing victory
Main from the entrance, Rohit roared again into kind and guided India to a complete four-wicket victory, serving to the hosts take an unassailable 2-0 lead within the three-match sequence. His century, which got here off simply 76 balls, was a wonderful mix of endurance and aggression, as he dispatched the English bowlers to all components of the bottom. He reached the milestone in emphatic type, stepping down the monitor and launching Adil Rashid over long-off for a large six, reaffirming his standing as one among India’s most reliable batters. His good knock of 119 off 90 deliveries was studded with seven sixes and 9 fours, setting the inspiration for India’s profitable chase.
Rohit’s aggressive strategy units up the chase towards England
Opting to bat first, England posted a difficult 304/10 in 49.5 overs, courtesy of essential contributions from their center order. Joe Root (69) and Ben Duckett (65) led the cost, whereas Liam Livingstone (41), Jos Buttler (34) and Harry Brook (31) chipped in with useful cameos. Regardless of wickets falling at common intervals, England managed to cross the 300-run mark, giving their bowlers a strong complete to defend. Nonetheless, India’s aggressive begin utterly shifted the momentum within the chase.
Additionally READ: Followers erupt as Rohit Sharma lights up Barabati Stadium with a stunning thirty second century towards England within the second ODI
In response, Rohit wasted no time in placing India forward, launching a brutal assault on the English bowlers from the outset. He raced to his half-century off simply 30 balls, stitching collectively a dominant 136-run opening partnership with Shubman Gill, which put India firmly within the driver’s seat. Gill performed a fluent knock of 60 off 52 balls earlier than being dismissed, however Rohit carried on his carnage, sustaining a powerful scoring fee and guaranteeing that India remained forward of the required run fee.
Rohit’s century and key contributions seal the victory
Rohit’s century got here in simply 76 balls, a knock that completely mixed highly effective hitting with calculated strokeplay. He reached the milestone in spectacular vogue by taking over leg-spinner Rashid, stepping out and launching him over long-off for a six. His dominance over the English assault continued till the thirtieth over, when Livingstone lastly managed to dismiss him for a surprising 119 off 90 balls. On the time of his dismissal, India wanted simply 85 runs off 122 deliveries, and the center order ensured there have been no hiccups within the chase. Shreyas Iyer (44) and Axar Patel (41) not out performed essential supporting roles, guiding India to victory in 44.3 overs.
With this win, India sealed the sequence 2-0, reaffirming their energy in ODIs and showcasing their batting depth. Rohit’s century not solely secured the victory but in addition despatched a powerful message forward of upcoming challenges, proving that the Indian skipper stays a drive to be reckoned with in worldwide cricket.
Right here’s how Twitter reacted:
And he is again with a bang! Can’t hold the hitman quiet for lengthy 🔥 cracker of an innings with the bat doing all of the speaking 💯 @ImRo45 #INDvsENGODI #IndVSEng
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) February 9, 2025
https://twiter.com/DineshKarthik/standing/1888622801030115420
Rohitaaaaaaaa sharamaaaaaaa is again 🇮🇳 🫡 #indvsEng #INDvsENGODI https://t.co/NGRMItzJUB
— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) February 9, 2025
Consistency, class, and captaincy rolled into one! 💯🔥 #hitman strikes once more. #INDvsENG @ImRo45 👌 https://t.co/JYR0LTBEnB
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) February 9, 2025
To chase 300 plus rating is that simple ??Sure when its #TeamIndia Opening partnership between @ShubmanGill & @ImRo45 have achieved a trick & than @akshar2026 with @ShreyasIyer15 took to the successful doorways.Cherished the century by Hitman#RohitSharma𓃵 #Gill #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/EhpkkdhHN9
— Munaf Patel (@munafpa99881129) February 9, 2025
It’s a giant reduction for Hitman in addition to for his followers. This 💯 earlier than the Champions Trophy ought to be a large enhance for crew India 🇮🇳Nicely performed Ro 👏👏#RohitSharma #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/k2xQzoPJLc
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) February 9, 2025
Ro-Hit-Man Sharma. Ro-Tremendous-Hit Sharma 🙌
That is such a great signal for 🇮🇳 #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/J195VXgbO3
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 9, 2025
And 𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐌𝐀𝐍 comes clutch in an important chase! 🔥
Introduced up his 3️⃣2️⃣nd ODI 💯, placing 🇮🇳 in a successful place! 💪#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/4cRxZYd0yz
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 9, 2025
💯/💯 batting show, and the sequence sealed in type! 💥#INDvENG 📸 : BCCI pic.twitter.com/hINHDMLN3U
— Chennai Tremendous Kings (@ChennaiIPL) February 9, 2025
Captain Rohit Sharma wins Participant of the match award 👏🏏#Cricket #INDvENG #RohitSharma𓃵 #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/gD0q7n5Qd9
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 9, 2025
