Janice R. Andrews
Cuttack (Odisha) [India], February 10: Indian captain Rohit Sharma roared back to form with a scintillating century against England in the second ODI at Cuttack, propelling him into the elite top 10 list of ODI run-getters. His explosive knock of 119 off 90 balls, laced with 12 fours and seven sixes, not only powered India to a thrilling four-wicket victory but also saw him surpass legends Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar in the record books.
Rohit’s masterclass came at a strike rate of 132.22, silencing critics and delighting fans who had eagerly awaited his return to peak form. With this innings, he overtook Dravid to become the 10th-highest run-scorer in ODI history. In 267 matches, Rohit has amassed 10,987 runs at an impressive average of 49.26, including 32 centuries and 57 fifties. His best score remains the world-record 264, a testament to his ability to dominate bowling attacks.
The Hitman also eclipsed Sachin Tendulkar to become India’s second-highest run-scorer as an opener in international cricket. With 15,404 runs in 343 matches at an average of 45.43, Rohit now trails only Virender Sehwag (15,758 runs) in this category. Sachin, who scored 15,335 runs as an opener, sits third on the list.
Rohit’s leadership credentials were also on full display as he notched his 36th ODI win as captain, tying him with West Indies legend Viv Richards for the third-most wins in the format. Only Clive Lloyd, Ricky Ponting, and Virat Kohli (39 wins each) are ahead of him.
The Cuttack ODI was a spectacle for cricket enthusiasts. England, after winning the toss, posted a competitive 304 runs, thanks to half-centuries from Joe Root (69) and Ben Duckett (65), supported by cameos from Liam Livingstone (41) and Jos Buttler (34). Ravindra Jadeja starred with the ball, claiming three wickets to keep England in check.
In reply, Rohit and Shubman Gill (60 off 52 balls) laid a solid foundation with a 136-run opening stand. Despite a mid-innings wobble, Shreyas Iyer (44) and Axar Patel (41*) held their nerve to guide India to victory with four wickets to spare.
Rohit’s seven sixes during his innings also took him past Chris Gayle’s tally of 331 sixes in men’s ODIs. With 338 maximums, he now sits second on the all-time list, behind only Shahid Afridi (351).
This performance not only underscored Rohit’s class but also reinforced his status as one of the modern greats of the game. As India continues its ODI campaign, fans will eagerly watch if Rohit can further cement his legacy and chase down more milestones.
For now, the Hitman has once again proven why he is indispensable to Indian cricket, blending elegance with power to create unforgettable moments on the field.
