Despite facing intense scrutiny following a significant break from international cricket, his retirement from Tests and T20Is, and the loss of his ODI captaincy, Rohit Sharma made an undeniable statement in the third One Day International against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. On Saturday, the seasoned batter not only led India to a successful 237-run chase with an unbeaten 121 off 125 balls but also secured both the ‘Player of the Match’ and ‘Player of the Series’ accolades. His performance vividly demonstrated that profound experience and unwavering determination can indeed prevail even under the most demanding circumstances.
This remarkable innings marked Rohit’s 50th international century, comprising 12 in Tests, 33 in ODIs, and 5 in T20Is, making him the sole batter to achieve five or more centuries across all three formats. His 33rd ODI ton, specifically his ninth against Australia and sixth on Australian soil as a visiting batter, surpassed Virat Kohli’s five centuries in 32 innings. This monumental knock also saw him equal Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most hundreds by an Indian against Australia.
Throughout the series, Rohit’s consistency was stellar, accumulating 202 runs at an impressive average of 101, which included one century and one fifty across the three matches. Reflecting on his exceptional performance, Rohit shared, “That’s what you expect in Australia. It’s not going to be easy, the bowlers are quality. You’ve got to understand the situation, understand the condition and see what best you can do. I was slightly confident in my head about how I would go in this tournament. Although we couldn’t win the series, we’ll take a lot of positives.”
He further elaborated on his role in mentoring the younger players, stating, “It’s our job now to make sure that we pass on the right message. The guys are pretty talented. It’s just about understanding how they want to play… I still go back to the basics of playing cricket. And that is something I feel I need to pass on to these guys.”
Rohit’s century, which included 13 fours and a six with a strike rate of 96.80, followed a 73-run innings in Adelaide and a modest eight in Perth, clearly demonstrating his exceptional ability to adapt and perform under immense pressure. His masterclass, combined with Virat Kohli’s composed 74 not out, forged an unbroken 168-run partnership that captivated fans and left an indelible mark on Australian cricket grounds.
“I love playing in Australia and in general, Sydney. It’s a great ground, great crowd, great pitch as well. I love doing what I do. And I hope I continue to do that,” Rohit concluded, perfectly summarizing an extraordinary series and a triumphant personal comeback story.