“I Really Broke….” Rohit Sharma On His Century Innings After India Sealed Series In Cuttack

Rohit Sharma’s form in Test cricket has been a cause for concern, but when it comes to ODIs, he remains one of the best in the business. India may not have played much ODI cricket over the past year, but Rohit’s brilliance in the format was on full display during the second match against England in Cuttack. After a disappointing seven-ball 2 in the first ODI, he bounced back in style with a sensational 90-ball 119, calming nerves ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy. Speaking after the game, Rohit admitted he relished his time in the middle, emphasizing how much he enjoyed contributing to the team’s victory.

Breaking down his approach, Rohit explained that his focus was on adapting to the 50-over format by assessing the game at different intervals. He acknowledged that while ODIs are longer than T20s but significantly shorter than Test matches, batters still need to pace their innings effectively. His goal was to ensure that a set batter stayed deep into the innings, and he executed that plan flawlessly. He said, “I really broke it down into pieces about how I wanted to bat.”

Rohit’s recent struggles in international cricket have been widely discussed, with his Test average dropping to 23.70 over the last 12 months, and an even lower 10.93 since September 2024. However, on Sunday, he rediscovered his rhythm, playing with the authority that has defined his ODI career. Reflecting on the conditions, he noted the nature of the black soil pitch, which caused the ball to skid. This made it crucial for him to present the full face of the bat early on. Once settled, he was able to read England’s tactics, which focused on bowling into the body and restricting room for stroke play.

Understanding the opposition’s strategy, Rohit Sharma devised his own plan to counter it, working on accessing the gaps in the field. He credited his solid opening partnership with Shubman Gill, who provided excellent support, followed by Shreyas Iyer’s contributions in the middle order.

Rohit and Gill’s 136-run stand in just under 17 overs laid a strong foundation for India’s chase of 305. The hosts reached their target comfortably in the 45th over, clinching the three-match series with a game to spare. Rohit’s dominant knock not only secured victory but also reaffirmed his stature as one of India’s most reliable ODI batters.