India captain Rohit Sharma once again proved his mettle with the bat, delivering a commanding century in the second ODI against England in Cuttack on Sunday (February 9). His blistering knock not only anchored India’s innings but also silenced his critics, reaffirming his status as one of the finest ODI batters in history.
With this century, his 32nd in ODIs, Rohit achieved another milestone by entering the list of the top 10 highest run-scorers in ODI history. Surpassing the legendary Rahul Dravid, he needed just 22 runs to overtake Dravid’s tally, a feat he accomplished with his third six of the innings. This performance was reminiscent of the dominant Rohit Sharma that fans admired during the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Rohit now joins an elite group of Indian cricketers in the all-time ODI run-scorers list, alongside Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Sourav Ganguly. Tendulkar remains at the top with 18,426 runs, while Kohli occupies the third spot with 13,906 runs. Rohit’s recent dip in form had drawn widespread criticism, but this knock serves as a strong reminder of his class and capability.
The Indian captain had been under scrutiny following a rough patch with the bat. India suffered a 3-0 ODI series defeat to New Zealand and also lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 to Australia. With mounting pressure, his leadership and individual performances were being questioned. Ahead of the England series, Rohit emphasized that he was treating it as a fresh start, putting past failures behind him.
In a matter of months, Rohit has experienced the highs of leading India to a T20 World Cup victory and the lows of inconsistent performances. His critics included not just former cricketers but also television personalities like Arnab Goswami, who openly questioned his place in the team. Some even called for his removal and the replacement of head coach Gautam Gambhir after India’s consecutive series losses.
However, the BCCI and its chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, backed Rohit and Kohli, recognizing their invaluable experience and match-winning abilities. Additionally, with India’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah sidelined due to injury, the selectors opted for stability rather than making drastic changes to the leadership structure.
Rohit’s century, featuring six massive sixes, serves as a powerful response to his detractors. It underscores the reality that every player experiences rough patches, particularly in a team sport where individual performances are closely scrutinized. His innings should silence not only his critics but also media figures who sensationalize issues without context.
Throughout his decade-long career, Rohit has faced skepticism, with jibes like “Ro-Hit… No-Hit” thrown his way. However, his ability to bounce back repeatedly speaks volumes about his character. With India already securing the series and one match left on Wednesday, another strong performance from Rohit could further cement his resurgence—just in time for the highly anticipated Champions Trophy next week. His critics may soon have to eat their words as he reclaims his form and leads the team with renewed confidence.
