For the longest time, Rohit Sharma the batter owed Rohit Sharma the captain a favor. On a humid Sunday at the Barabati Stadium, the 37-year-old Mumbaikar knew the batter in him had no choice but to step up and give his skipper some much-needed breathing room. A massive weight lifted off his shoulders, but his subdued celebrations spoke volumes. It was less about joy and more about sheer relief.
His century (119 off 90 balls, 12 fours, 7 sixes) will undoubtedly rank among his most cherished innings—not just for the numbers but for the immense pressure it carried. When he reflects on his white-ball career, this knock will stand out as a turning point. A captain in form commands respect in the dressing room.
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Not that Rohit’s stature had diminished, but as someone who has always played the game on his terms, he wouldn't want to see uncertainty in the eyes of his teammates—even if that included head coach Gautam Gambhir, whose trademark poker face barely gave anything away as he clapped for his captain’s hundred.
Since the home series against New Zealand, Rohit had endured a prolonged slump, facing some of the harshest criticism of his 17-year international career.
Until the opening game in Nagpur, nothing seemed to go right for Rohit—until February 9 arrived. Finally, the sixes started soaring again. The vintage Rohit Sharma was back, reacting instinctively to deliveries rather than overthinking them. Internet went crazy after the Indian skipper smashed his second fastest ODI ton.
Checkout the reactions below...
Fastest ODI 100s for Rohit Sharma (by balls)
63 vs Afg Delhi 2023
76 vs Eng Cuttack 2025 *
82 vs Eng Nottingham 2018
82 vs NZ Indore 2023
84 vs WI Guwahati 2018
Unlike the Australia Tests, where he stepped out of the crease to counter movement, he stood deep inside it this time, allowing things to fall into place.
Just as misfortune follows misfortune, when the tide turns, everything starts aligning.
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England’s bowlers made a critical miscalculation in the first ODI, peppering Shreyas Iyer with short-pitched deliveries. In the second ODI, on a track with true bounce, Saqib Mahmood, Gus Atkinson, and Jamie Overton went full—but too full. Rohit, with his vast experience, was quick to capitalize, timing his shots to perfection.
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