Rohit Sharma’s presence on the field commands respect, and despite his struggles with the bat in the first ODI against England, his admiration for the Indian captain has not wavered. As India and England clashed in the second ODI at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, the focus was not just on the action on the field but also on the aura surrounding Rohit, who has been at the helm of Indian cricket in white-ball formats.

Discussions about Rohit’s performance continue, even after India convincingly won the opening match. His excellent leadership is acknowledged, but there is concern about his inability to turn promising beginnings into substantial scores in the recent tournament matches, especially with the Champions Trophy approaching. Nevertheless, he still enjoys the respect of both England’s players and fans.

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen had his say on the huge aura that Rohit carries. Speaking on Star Sports, Pietersen said, “Even in the England dressing room, the reception he gets when he steps out is just electrifying.

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“The cameras showed the England dressing room when Rohit walked in, and you could see every English player turning to look at him as the crowd erupted. That’s what presence and aura mean. Rohit has built this over time—not just because of his name, but through years of consistency, incredible numbers, and match-winning performances,” Kevin Pietersen remarked.

He further added, “It’s truly special. The moment Rohit leaves the dressing room, the stadium comes alive. It’s a reminder to cherish these legends while they are still playing. Just look at the raw emotions in the stands when he takes the field.”

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The match will begin with England skipper Jos Buttler winning the toss and deciding to bat first. India makes two changes- Virat Kohli for Yashasvi Jaiswal and Varun Chakravarthy in place of Kuldeep Yadav. England, too, have made three changes, including Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, and Mark Wood in the playing XI. India is looking to seal the series, whereas England is on the back foot and needs a win here to level the contest.