Rohit Sharma's three-year-long century drought finally came to an end in the third ODI against New Zealand on Tuesday (January 24). The Hitman Rohit clobbered a robust 85-ball 101 to help India clinch an emphatic 90-run victory over Black Caps and eventually whitewash the three-match series 3-0.
It was Rohit's 30th century in the One Day Internationals which took its own time.
Right after his century, the broadcaster was seen flashing the statistic that it was Indian skipper's first century since January 2020, which left Rohit infuriated. Rohit felt the statistic did not convey the correct picture as he slammed the broadcasters and said," Regarding the first hundred in three years, I've played only 12 (17) ODIs in three years. Three years sounds a lot," Rohit told reporters after the match.
"You guys should know what's happening. I know that it was shown on broadcast but kabhi kabhi woh cheez bhi dhyan dena chahiye, broadcaster ko bhi sahi cheez dikhana chahiye (the broadcasters should give the correct picture)," he said.
One of the journalists asked whether it was the return of the ‘Hitman’, to which Rohit said," As I said, there were no matches in 2020. Everyone was sitting at home because of COVID-19. We hardly played ODIs, I was injured so I played two Tests during that time, so you have to put all of that in perspective.
"We were playing T20 cricket last year. And in T20 cricket, there's no better batsman than Suryakumar Yadav at the moment. He has hit two hundreds and I don't think anyone else has."
Rohit smoked nine fours and six maximums in his onslaught to stitch together a colossal 212-run partnership with his opening partner Shubman Gill, who also struck a century (112 off 78). Virat Kohli, who recently completed his 46th ODI ton, also got a good start but failed to score big as he perished for 36 off 27. Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav were sent packing at the lowly scores of 17 and 14 respectively. But Hardik Pandya played the way he is known for as he belted 38-ball 54 in which he cracked three sixes and as many fours to help India post a gigantic total.
Shardul Thakur was India's pick of the bowlers as he snared 3/45 which changed the complexion of the game. He dismissed Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham off back-to-back balls before hunting down Glenn Phillips in his next over.
Meanwhile, Rohit was full of praise for Shardul as he said,"He has got the knack of taking wickets at the crucial time for us. We have seen it not just in ODI cricket but also in Tests. He's very critical to us, and where we stand as a team.
"So, I just hope he keeps putting up performances like this and it will only do good to the team and give him confidence that he can come and take wickets.
"This guy is very smart, he has played a lot of domestic cricket and understands what needs to be done." He revealed how Shardul, Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli plotted New Zealand skipper Tom Latham's dismissal.
"In this format, you need to use your skills and he (Shardul) definitely has them. He bowled a good knuckle ball to Tom Latham today (Tuesday), nicely planned in the middle by Virat, Hardik, and Shardul," he further added.
