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 full of beautiful timing and chic strokeplay.
Rohit Sharma’s elegant century in India’s series-sealing victory
Main from the entrance, Rohit roared again into type and guided India to a comprehensive 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 superb mix of persistence and aggression, as he dispatched the English bowlers to all elements of the bottom. He reached the milestone in emphatic fashion, stepping down the monitor and launching Adil Rashid over long-off for an enormous 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 helpful cameos. Regardless of wickets falling at common intervals, England managed to cross the 300-run mark, giving their bowlers a stable complete to defend. Nevertheless, India’s aggressive begin utterly shifted the momentum within the chase.
Additionally READ: Fans erupt as Rohit Sharma lights up Barabati Stadium with a dazzling 32nd century against England in 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 robust scoring price and making certain that India remained forward of the required run price.
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 up 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 robust 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 straightforward ??
Sure when its #TeamIndia
Opening partnership between @ShubmanGill & @ImRo45 have performed a trick & than @akshar2026 with @ShreyasIyer15 took to the profitable doorways.
Beloved 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 must be an enormous enhance for crew India 🇮🇳
Effectively 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 profitable place! 💪#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/4cRxZYd0yz
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 9, 2025
💯/💯 batting show, and the sequence sealed in fashion! 💥#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
