India veteran Rohit Sharma bounced back in stunning fashion after a couple of low scores, smashing a magnificent century in the third and final ODI of the three-match series against England. However, his knock was not enough to take India over the line in the contest, played on Sunday, July 19, at Lord's Cricket Ground in London.
Batting first, England posted a massive 387/3, with Ben Duckett top-scoring with 141 off 135 balls, including 18 fours and a six. Valuable contributions also came from Jacob Bethell (91 off 93 balls, including 11 fours and two sixes), Joe Root (74* off 48 balls, including nine fours), and Jos Buttler (41* off 13 balls, laced with four fours and three sixes).
In reply, Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma led India's fightback with a 147-run opening partnership off 146 balls before the skipper was dismissed for 77 off 84 balls. Rohit and Virat Kohli then added 113 runs off 86 balls for the second wicket. The 39-year-old was in sublime touch, scoring 138 off 110 balls, including 17 fours and five sixes, while Kohli made 74 off 60 balls.
However, the visitors failed to capitalise in the death overs and finished on 360/7, falling 27 runs short to lose the series 2-1. Despite the Men in Blue's defeat, Rohit attracted widespread attention with his century. On that note, here's a look at the top five expert reactions to the opener's hundred at Lord's.
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra lauded Rohit Sharma for his scintillating century and questioned what would now happen to the rumours that Lord's would be the opener's final international appearance for India. Chopra also wondered what critics would now say about Rohit after his stunning knock. Speaking on his YouTube channel (Aakash Chopra), he said:
Speaking on his YouTube channel (Irfan Pathan), the former India all-rounder said that despite the immense pressure on Rohit Sharma, the opener looked unfazed and batted brilliantly. He described Rohit as a diamond of Indian cricket and said the 39-year-old showed that he would continue to play solidly for as long as he is around. Pathan said:
Speaking during a discussion on Star Sports' 'Follow The Blues', former India seamer Varun Aaron noted that similar questions had been raised about Rohit Sharma during the Australia tour last year, when he responded with a century.
Aaron also pointed out that by the time Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were batting, the pitch no longer looked difficult, and described it as one of the Mumbai batter's best innings in a long time. Aaron said:
In a YouTube Shorts video on his channel (Mohammad Kaif), former India batter said Rohit Sharma has earned the right to decide when he wants to retire. He noted that people had been constantly calling for the 39-year-old to retire, but despite the immense pressure, Rohit became the first Indian batter to score a century at Lord's in ODIs. Kaif said:
During a discussion on Star Sports' post-match show, former India wicketkeeper-batter Saba Karim noted that once Rohit Sharma got through the first five overs, he looked in superb rhythm and never appeared to be under pressure, highlighting why he is regarded as one of the best white-ball openers. He said:
In 288 ODIs, the opener has amassed 11,895 runs at an average of 48.95 and a strike rate of 93.04, including 62 fifties and 34 centuries.
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