Former India batter turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar said that Rohit Sharma’s hundred in the second ODI against England in Cuttack was a little more for himself than it was for the Indian team. However, following a poor Test tour of Australia, alongside two poor red-ball series against Bangladesh and New Zealand at home, questions were being asked about his place in ODI cricket also. Rohit also got out for just two off seven balls in the first one-dayer against England in Nagpur as well.

On Sunday, February 9, however, he smashed a brilliant 119 off 90 balls in the second ODI against England at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack as well. Rohit Sharma smashed 12 fours and seven sixes in his innings in his excellent knock, adding 136 for the first wicket with Shubman Gill (60 off 52). Chasing a target of 305, India reached there in 44.3 overs, with four wickets in hand and took a 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series as well.

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During a discussion on ESPNCricinfo, he commented: “People who are big brands in India, they feel that pressure of expectation. It’s not just about getting your 40s and 50s that he was doing during the World Cup. Somewhere, there’s an expectation of a hundred. It’s like a certificate of you being in form. This format allows you to take that monkey off your back. You saw the way he did it. He wasn’t as attacking as he was during the World Cup.

“Still, when he decides to pace his innings, it’s just incredible how easily he does it. [He was] very selective in the way he played his shots. So, finally that question was answered. I have a feeling in the next match he will play again in the way that he thought was best for the team. This one was more for himself. Obviously, one that wanted the team to win. But this is one that he’ll say, this one is for me,” the veteran concluded..