India’s veteran opener Rohit Sharma scored his ODI career's 34th century. At Lord’s, London, Rohit scored 138 runs from 110 balls in a losing cause as India fell short of the 388-run target in the series decider by 28 runs. There were reports that Rohit will play his last ODI game at Lord’s. But, there is no official statement from either the BCCI, captain Shubman Gill and the man himself. After an impactful knock which is likely to be his last on England soil, Rohit said that his job is with the bat and he intends to do that irrespective of the ‘outside noise’. He seemed to take a dig at the reports of retirement and his critics, saying that his job is to perform on the field with the bat since his debut.
“Look, my job is with the bat, come and play, represent my country. That's what I've been told to do since my debut. That's what I am going to do. The noise has been there since I made by debut. Till the time I'm going to stay here, it's going to stay. It doesn't really matter too much. What matters is what I do on the field, try and contribute to the success of the team. That's all by focus is right now. Let the noise me there. If there's no noise, there's no fun. My job is inside, there job is outside. That's how I look at it,” Rohit said in a video posted by bcci.tv on July 20.
ALSO READ: Why Kuldeep Yadav didn't play in 3rd ODI vs England? Shubman Gill clarifies
Rohit became the eighth Indian batter to score more than 1,000 runs against England in the format. It was also his fourth ODI ton against England, joint-most by an India batter alongside legendary Yuvraj Singh.
Rohit reaches century from 84 balls
In the mammoth run chase of 388, Rohit started off cautiously. He looked to attack against Josh Tongue, hitting him for a couple of fours and a six in the eighth over. In the 21st over, he reached his half-century from 50 deliveries. He and skipper Shubman Gill shared a 147-run stand from 24.2 overs. Gill departed for an 84-ball 77 to Adil Rashid. When Tongue returned, Rohit hit him for two consecutive sixes. In the 31st over, Rohit reached his 34th ODI hundred from 84 balls.
Rohit’s sensational ODI record on English soil
Rohit broke the record for most ODI hundreds in a visiting country. It was Rohit's eighth ODI ton in England, joint second-most by a batter in the country alongside Marcus Trescothick. Only Joe Root has more ODI hundreds (10) in England.
Cramp affects Rohit
Rohit and Virat Kohli looked to score quickly, keeping the required run rate in check. But, Rohit suffered a cramp while trying to take a second run on in the 36th over. Rohit looked to deal in boundaries. But, after hitting Jacob Bethell for a six in the 39th over, he lost his wicket off the next ball. He got bowled trying to play a sweep shot. His knock of 138 from 110 balls, featured 17 fours and five sixes.
Kohli scored a 60-ball 74 but did not get support from the other end and eventually departed. India managed to post 360/7 as Gurnoor Brar and Arshdeep Singh entertained the crowd. India lost the match by 27 runs.