10-Feb-2025, 12:38 PM
Following his century against England in Cuttack, Rohit Sharma downplayed the significance of the innings, stating, “It was just another day in office, one knock doesn’t change anything”. He remained unfazed after his 32nd ODI century helped him overcome a poor run of scores. Sharma’s innings of 119 off 90 balls, which included 12 fours and seven sixes, helped India win by four wickets and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Sharma emphasized his understanding of what is required of him after playing the game for a long time. He said it’s about going out there and doing your thing, and that’s what he did. In his mind, it was just about doing things that he does and trying to bat the way he does. Sharma added that one or two knocks are not going to change his mind.
Leading up to the second ODI, Sharma was under tremendous pressure. He had struggled in the Test series against New Zealand and Australia and had also failed to perform in the Ranji Trophy match against Jammu and Kashmir, as well as in the first ODI against England. His performance had raised doubts about his ability, with some reports suggesting that he might drop himself from the Champions Trophy squad if he didn’t improve.
In the second ODI, Sharma scored 119 runs off 90 deliveries, dispelling all doubts. His aggressive approach from the start set the tone and gave him the platform to score a century after innings. After the game, Sharma discussed his preparations, noting that he assessed the situation and was focused on getting back to form. He intended to bat as deep as possible, and since the match was played on black soil, he opened the face of the bat to get the runs. Sharma also acknowledged the support he received from Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, which made things easier for him.
With India now leading the series 2-0, Sharma’s good form heading into the Champions Trophy will definitely be a positive for the team. His confidence and leadership will greatly contribute to India’s chances of winning the title.
