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Team India’s Test and ODI captain Rohit Sharma played a pivotal role in guiding his side to victory in the second ODI against England at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Coming into the match after having scored 166 runs in last 16 outings across formats, Rohit Sharma played a captain’s knock and helped India take an unassailable lead in the three-match series with one match to go.
The 37-year-old opened the innings for the Men in Blue during their run chase of 305 runs, scoring 119 runs off 90 deliveries with his innings being laced with 12 boundaries and seven maximums. Furthermore, during his 90-ball stay in the middle, Rohit Sharma broke several records, including surpassing legend Sachin Tendulkar’s record of scoring most centuries after his 30th birthday.
I’ve been here long enough, one or two knocks is not going to change my mind: Rohit Sharma
Speaking after India’s four-wicket win in Cuttack, Rohit Sharma finally silenced his critics, who had been questioning him over his form. In a video shared by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the 37-year-old opened up on his knock and added that he knows of what is required out of him. “This is what I am talking about, man. I mean, look… When people have played for a number of years and scored so many runs over the years, okay, that means something. I’ve played this game for a long time now, and I understand what is required of me. So, it’s just about going out there and doing your thing, and this was what I did today; it was one of my things," Rohit said.
“In my mind, it was just about doing the things that I do, bat the way I do, try to bat the way I do. Like I said, I’ve been here long enough, so one or two knocks is not going to change my mind. But… just another day in the office," he continued. “We need to do our job, okay? Our job is to just go out there and play the game. As long as you go out there and you know that today when you go to bed, you know that you’ve given your best. That is what matters," the Indian captain further added.
Watch Rohit Sharma react after his match-winning knock in second ODI:
Further reiterating of how he is clear of what he has to do, Rohit Sharma added, “Every time I walk onto the pitch, walk on to play the game, I want to try and do well. Sometimes it happens; sometimes it may not happen. As long as I am clear about what I want to do, that’s all that matters. Nothing else matters. When you have scored so many runs, you have done something, right? You just need to get back to that mindset of how to get runs, how to score runs."
While he seems to have regained his form, he is expected to continue it in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, set to be played in Pakistan and the UAE from February 19 onward. While the tournament will majorly be held in Pakistan, India will play all its matches in Dubai (UAE).
