Rohit Sharma turned the noise around his future into a moment of history. In the series-deciding third ODI against England on Sunday, July 19, the veteran opener scored a magnificent hundred at Lord's — and in doing so became the first Indian batter ever to score an ODI century at the iconic venue.
The milestone knock could not have come at a bigger moment. For days, the talk had been about whether this could be Rohit's last-ever match for India, with his ODI future under intense scrutiny. His answer was a calm, classy and commanding century on one of cricket's grandest stages.
A hundred full of records
Rohit's knock did far more than end India's long wait for an ODI hundred at Lord's. It also rewrote a few pages in the record books.
At 39 years and 80 days, Rohit became the oldest Indian to score an ODI century, going past Sachin Tendulkar, who held the record after making an ODI hundred at 38 years and 327 days. It also made Rohit the oldest Indian batter to score a century in any international format.
The innings further strengthened his brilliant record in England. It was his eighth ODI century in the country, taking him level with former England opener Marcus Trescothick. Only Joe Root, with 10 ODI hundreds in England, has more — and Rohit now stands ahead of several visiting greats who have managed seven in a single country.
A statement innings when it mattered most
Chasing a huge England total of 387, India needed a strong start — and Rohit delivered. He and captain Shubman Gill put on a superb century opening stand, taking the attack to England's bowlers and keeping India firmly in the chase. Rohit brought up his 63rd ODI fifty in trademark style, scooping Gus Atkinson fine for four, before moving smoothly to three figures — his 34th ODI hundred.
Earlier, England had piled on the runs, with Ben Duckett scoring a brilliant century and Joe Root continuing his fine form with another fifty to lift the hosts to 387. India were also without Jasprit Bumrah, who missed the decider through injury, with Josh Tongue coming into the England side.
The bigger picture
The century arrives in the middle of a swirling debate about Rohit's international future. Reports this week suggested the selectors, along with head coach Gautam Gambhir, had decided to move on from him ahead of the 2027 World Cup, and that the Lord's ODI could be his final India appearance.
Rohit, though, has always maintained he wants to keep playing and chase one more World Cup dream. A history-making innings like this — under this much pressure, on this stage, at the age of 39 — will only strengthen his case and make any decision about his future far harder.
For now, Indian fans can simply savour the moment: one of the country's greatest white-ball batters, standing tall at Lord's, becoming the first Indian to reach an ODI hundred at the home of cricket.
We will bring you the full result and reaction from Lord's, plus every update on Rohit Sharma's future, right here on CricInnings.
Comments (0)