New Delhi: Indian captain Rohit Sharma has been at a corner left to sap the lows of his team under his leadership in the last few months. Close to three years on completing the full-time captaincy role, the last few months haven’t been ideal.
The high of the T20 World Cup victory in Barbados wasn’t celebrated ethereally with setbacks never leaving the space of Rohit and Indian team. A ODI series loss in Sri Lanka, a home Test series defeat to New Zealand (first in 12 years for India), a first Test series loss against Australia in 10 years, and then also dropping himself out of the playing XI. Nothing ever promised for the Indian skipper to stand up to his role, especially when the runs were dried against the red ball.
No doubt the formats differ and cannot be intersected. But that Rohit couldn’t make an impact in the series opener against England in Nagpur did raise eyebrows on what holds for his future, a question he was miffed by ahead of the series. He departed for two runs from seven balls after miscuing a flick against Saqib Mahmood’s inswinger.
The pressure was on the captain to deliver, though ODI is a format he never lagged behind. He has always showed that class when it comes to providing a firing start. Even India’s new batting coach backed the team opener, defending his form that there isn’t any problem with it when it comes to ODIs. And Rohit asserted the belief by displaying his natural game style on Sunday.
Rohit Sharma’s Crucial Century Against England
Known for his ability to unsettle the opposition bowling attack, a template visible in the success of India’s run to the 2023 World Cup, Rohit oozed flamboyance at the Barabati Stadium to lead India’s task of chasing 305, not a herculean task nor a cakewalk for any team to cross in a traditional game of ODIs often decided in the middle overs.
The ton was so aptly set by the Indian skipper that even a middle and lower-middle order collapse didn’t leave any room for England to stamp their authority. It was an act of the vintage Rohit, an aggressor in ODIs, a format he has aced with boldness and calculative moves with his tactic involves manoeuvring the opposition.
He started by placing the ball through the surface before it met the ropes, not trying to go for the other and very glorious aerial route. England didn’t opened the bowling attack with Mark Wood with his pace was the potent weapon which would have undone an under-pressure Rohit. The Durham pacer was introduced in the eighth over of the Indian innings, a period where Rohit was comfortable at the crease, having belted two fours and three sixes in what was a brisk start for India.
Even the short break after the failure of floodlights didn’t break the rhythm of Rohit, who was just focused on building his innings. That was a statement to pass that his mental strength was above the rest with many questions surrounding that can easily bog a human being.
He rode on the momentum and even tonked Wood for a six by going down on his knees to clear the long-on region. The Indian batter smashed 12 fours and seven sixes in total en route to the 32nd ODI century coming from his willow, this one controlled the burgeoning external noise. Here Rohit Sharma, the player who has been at the service of Indian cricket for close to two decades, was fighting for a space to breathe.
Looking Ahead: Rohit Sharma’s Role in the Champions Trophy
He might have appeared very casual during his interaction with the media personnel and commentators. But when he took the guard on the field, his eyes ignited the sense to play that knock that could lift his morale before the showpiece Champions Trophy in UAE.
Rohit didn’t carry on after playing a big shot off Liam Livingstone as he was caught by Adil Rashid. The elegance and the mental strength shown by the 37-year-old was one that captivated the crowd and his well wishers had the moment of reverence.
“It was good, really enjoyed being out there, scoring some runs for the team. Important game, series on the line,” Rohit said in the post-match presentation ceremony, where he was adjudged Player of the Match.
“I broke it into pieces how I wanted to bat. It’s a format that is longer than T20 cricket and a lot shorter than Tests. Still, you need to assess and bat according to the situation. I wanted to stay focused and bat as deep as possible,” he emphasised the importance of his knock.
Whether Rohit continues the same template in Ahmedabad in the final ODI isn’t the question, its whether he can ride on to the momentum to add a big feather on his crown in the Champions Trophy, a tournament he will be leading the national team for the first time.
Rohit Sharma’s magnificent century in the India vs England ODI series has revitalised his form. His innings showcased his class and mental fortitude, crucial after recent setbacks. This performance boosts confidence ahead of the Champions Trophy, and the 119-run knock was a timely reminder of his ODI prowess. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
