Indian cricket star Rohit Sharma has always found a special connection with Australia, a nation that has witnessed many of his most iconic innings. After skillfully leading India to a commanding nine-wicket victory in the third One-Day International in Sydney, Sharma hinted that this current series might be his and fellow cricketing legend Virat Kohli’s last visit to their cherished cricketing grounds down under.
Rohit Sharma (Pic credit: BCCI)
With both seasoned players now primarily focusing on ODIs, having stepped away from Tests and T20Is, their future in international cricket is a subject of much discussion. However, on that Saturday, they magnificently turned back the clock: Sharma’s unbeaten knock of 121 runs and Kohli’s composed 74 guided India to a comfortable chase of 237, successfully averting a series whitewash.
Sharma’s century was monumental on multiple fronts. The 38-year-old not only achieved his 50th international century—making him only the third Indian, after Sachin Tendulkar (100) and Virat Kohli (82), to reach this milestone—but also recorded his 33rd ODI hundred, and a remarkable ninth against Australia. Additionally, he surpassed Sourav Ganguly’s career total of 11,363 ODI runs, cementing his place as India’s third-highest run-scorer in the format.
Concluding the series as India’s top scorer with 202 runs at an impressive average of 101, which included a century and a fifty, ‘The Hitman’s’ resurgence is a testament to more than just his form; it speaks volumes about his commitment to fitness. Abhishek Nayar, former cricketer and current India assistant coach, shared the secret behind Sharma’s renewed agility and on-field intensity during an interview:
“Three months of hard work, not eating his favourite food, training hard — maybe you will see a few more kilos down when we see him play next time.”
Sharma’s unwavering dedication to a disciplined regimen and his focused approach to conditioning are clearly evident in his enhanced mobility and sustained energy during matches. This year alone, across 11 ODIs, he has amassed 504 runs at an impressive average of 50.40, including two centuries and two fifties—a clear indication that his intensive transformation is delivering significant results on the field.