Rohit Sharma’s spectacular 33rd ODI century during the final match against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground was a testament to more than just runs – it was a powerful display of enduring class, fierce resilience, and a deep bond of friendship. With a calm single off Adam Zampa, Rohit achieved a monumental milestone: his 50th international century. This impressive tally now includes 12 centuries in Tests, 33 in One-Day Internationals, and five in T20 Internationals. Instead of his usual explosive celebration, Rohit’s acknowledgment was subtle yet profound – a simple nod, a quiet fist pump, and a warm embrace with teammate Virat Kohli. These heartfelt moments sent electrifying shivers through the roaring crowd at the SCG, creating an unforgettable atmosphere.
This innings was a clear statement. Having been relieved of his ODI captaincy and facing intense scrutiny after a quick dismissal in the first match of the series, Rohit responded with undeniable authority. He crafted an unbeaten 121 runs from just 125 deliveries. Alongside him, Virat Kohli played a brilliant innings of 74, and together, they built an unbroken 168-run partnership in just 170 balls. This performance served as a powerful reminder to the cricketing world of why the Rohit-Kohli duo remains one of the sport’s most formidable and effective batting combinations.
Rohit’s magnificent century brought with it a cascade of new achievements: he now holds the record for the most ODI hundreds by a visiting batsman in Australia with six, he equaled Sachin Tendulkar’s record of nine centuries against Australia, and he became the only batsman in history to score five or more hundreds across all three international formats. Not to be outdone, Kohli marked his 75th ODI fifty and ascended to become the second-highest run-scorer in ODI history, further solidifying the historic nature of this innings.
Beyond the individual brilliance, this victory was a true team effort. Harshit Rana spearheaded the bowling attack, claiming an impressive 4 wickets for just 39 runs, brilliantly supported by Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. Their combined efforts successfully restricted Australia to a modest total of 236. Although Shubman Gill, who opened the innings, was dismissed for 24, his initial partnership provided a solid foundation, allowing Rohit and Kohli to confidently take control of the chase, masterfully guiding India to victory with meticulous precision in every over.
After celebrating his century, Rohit shared his heartfelt thoughts on his long journey at the SCG, saying, “I have always cherished playing here; it brings back wonderful memories from 2008. While I’m unsure if we’ll return, I’ve savored every moment. I believe Virat feels the same. Thank you, Australia.”
In a cricketing era often spotlighting emerging talents, Rohit’s outstanding century served as a powerful reminder of the irreplaceable value of experience, calm composure, and the profound magic found in cricketing camaraderie. The understated nod, the subtle fist pump, and the warm hug shared between legends — these moments, now forever etched in time, left the Sydney fans with an overwhelming sense of awe and cherished memories that will last a lifetime.