Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket team’s top batsman, silenced his critics in emphatic fashion by scoring a stunning half-century in the second ODI against England at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday, February 9. His disastrous outing in the first ODI at Nagpur, where he was sent packing cheaply by Saqib Mahmood, had sparked all sorts of alarm bells regarding his form before the much-awaited Champions Trophy, to be played starting February 19.
However, in Cuttack, skipper Rohit Sharma silenced all doubts with an awe-inspiring display of strokeplay. Rohit opened up with quite aggressive intent when he chased an almost impossible 305, right from the very first over when he took England’s bowlers on.Here again, the aggression was as usual, going past Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid and Mark Wood towards all corners.
Half-century off 30 came his way in the ninth over, when it came stylishly off Rashid cutting past point for a boundary. The knock not only boosted the Indians in their chase but also restamped their stature as one of the most dominant openers in modern-day cricket. Rohit’s innings helped him achieve personal milestones.
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Rohit Sharma broke into the top 10 list of all-time leading run-scorers in ODIs, surpassing the legendary Rahul Dravid. He also crossed Sachin Tendulkar in the list of most runs scored by an opener in international cricket. A remarkable feat that saw him jump past Chris Gayle to be the second highest six-hitter in ODI history, now only behind Shahid Afridi. This return to form comes after a difficult period for Rohit.
His struggles were evident in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he had to miss the New Year’s Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Even in domestic cricket, he failed to make an impact during Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy match against Jammu & Kashmir. But with this innings, he looks as if he has regained his touch at the right moment, ahead of an important international commitment.
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For starters, Rohit Sharma will hope he can take it forward from there when India meets Bangladesh on the 20th of February at Dubai International Cricket Stadium with skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto at the helm. It was indeed bliss for the fans to see the skipper batting to glory. “Tell them, he is not done. Rohit Sharma is back!” read an ardent comment on social media.
Never Ever Write off Rohit Sharma 📍 pic.twitter.com/FGQopXSAkx
— Socialist Insider. (@Socialist_14) February 9, 2025
Tell them He is not Finished. Rohit sharma is backkkkkkk pic.twitter.com/NZQBc8cvU1
— GUY (@whattaaguyy) February 9, 2025
This frame defines the AURA of greatest batsman of whiteball cricket ROHIT SHARMA 🥶#INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/NraYeRYNLE
— U. (@264therapy) February 9, 2025
Rohit Sharma is the most dangerous player in the world
Rohit was going through a bad form but still he batted brilliantly today and
scored 52 runs in just 30 balls which includes 4 Ganganchumi sixes and 4 fours#RohitSharma𓃵 #INDvENG#RohitSharmapic.twitter.com/EzgmIV4MMx
— Rahul Gupta (@RahulGu04197245) February 9, 2025
Rohit Sharma’s power is unmatched! I love watching him play
— Sharon Riley (@Sharon_Riley35) February 9, 2025
A MAN WITHOUT AN EGO IS NOT A MAN… typical rohit sharma 🐐
— Gagan (@DhakaGagan) February 9, 2025
The way Rohit Sharma is batting it seems like he is lying on a swimming pool floater and swinging from there #INDvENG #TeamIndia #RohitSharma𓃵
— huzaifa laljiwala (@huzaifalalji) February 9, 2025
