Rohit Sharma silenced all his critics with a breathtaking century during the third and final One-Day International against Australia. Recent weeks had been rife with speculation about his form and whether he’d be part of India’s squad for the 2027 World Cup. Following a disappointing early dismissal in the opening ODI, the spotlight intensified, especially with emerging talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal eager to claim a spot.
In the second ODI, after the quick exits of Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, Rohit demonstrated his renowned composure, crafting a vital 73 runs off 97 balls. He forged a crucial 118-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer, steering India out of a precarious situation. Though he was still finding his stride, his seasoned experience and unwavering temperament were clearly evident.
Having been relieved of his ODI captaincy before the series, with Shubman Gill stepping into the leadership role, Rohit delivered an emphatic response in the third ODI. He smashed a magnificent 100 runs off just 105 balls, building a formidable partnership with Virat Kohli. This century-stand marked their first since January 2020 in any format, powerfully reaffirming that the Rohit-Kohli duo remains a force to be reckoned with.
This milestone knock marked Rohit’s 50th century across all international cricket formats: 12 in Tests, 33 in ODIs, and five in T20Is. He stands alone as the only batsman to boast five or more hundreds in each of the three formats. His superb century further extends his record for the most ODI hundreds by a visiting batter in Australia, with six, surpassing even Virat Kohli (five) and Kumar Sangakkara (five). Specifically against Australia, this was his ninth ODI hundred, placing him level with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.
Most ODI Centuries Against a Single Opposition:
- 10 – Virat Kohli vs Sri Lanka
- 9 – Virat Kohli vs West Indies
- 9 – Sachin Tendulkar vs Australia
- 9 – Rohit Sharma vs Australia
Rohit and Kohli also hold a distinguished position among the top partnerships in ODI history, boasting 19 century-plus stands, just shy of the iconic pair of Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly (26). Against Australia, their 11 fifty-plus partnerships equal the record set by the legendary West Indian duo, Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes. On an individual note, Rohit has notched 55 scores of 50 or more in ODI chases, while Kohli leads with an impressive 70, clearly demonstrating that their combined experience and class continue to dominate under pressure.