Rohit Sharma produced statement innings at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday, hitting a fluent century that rekindled memories of his finest days in Australia. The 38-year-old opener brought up his 33rd ODI hundred and 50th in international cricket as India chased 237 against Australia in the final match of the series.
Rohit reached the landmark in classic fashion, guiding Adam Zampa through long-off for a single to bring up his hundred off 105 balls. There was no over-the-top celebration, just a gentle raise of the bat, a nod towards the dressing room, and a warm embrace from his batting partner Virat Kohli. The Sydney crowd rose to its feet in applause, recognising not just the innings but the legacy of a player who has defined an era of Indian batting.
The innings carried historical weight. With this knock, Rohit became only the tenth cricketer in history to register 50 international centuries. His tally now stands at 12 in Tests, 33 in ODIs, and five in T20Is, making him the only player to score five or more centuries in each format.
In achieving the milestone, Rohit also went past Virender Sehwag’s aggregate of 15,758 runs to become India’s highest run-scorer among openers across all formats. He also equalled Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 45 international hundreds as an opener, trailing only Australia’s David Warner, who has 49.
Rohit’s affinity for Australian conditions was once again evident. This was his sixth ODI century on Australian soil, the most by any visiting batter, surpassing Virat Kohli and Kumar Sangakkara. It was also his ninth ODI hundred against Australia, drawing him level with Tendulkar and just one behind Kohli’s record of ten centuries against Sri Lanka, the most by any player against a single opponent.
At 38 years and 178 days, Rohit Sharma became the second-oldest Indian to score an ODI century, behind only Sachin Tendulkar, who achieved the feat at 38 years and 327 days. The landmark innings at the Sydney Cricket Ground also saw Rohit surpass Virender Sehwag’s tally of 15,758 runs to become India’s highest run-scorer among openers across formats, accomplishing the feat in 11 fewer innings. The Mumbaikar further equalled Tendulkar’s record of 45 international centuries as an opener, the most by any Indian, with only Australia’s David Warner (49) ahead on the all-time list. Rohit’s hundred was also his ninth against Australia in ODIs, drawing him level with Tendulkar for the most centuries by any batter against the five-time world champions.
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