Rohit Sharma silenced his critics in style, adding yet another remarkable achievement to his career at Lord’s. The Indian opener made history by becoming the first player ever to score eight ODI centuries in an away country, reaching this milestone with a brilliant century against England in the third ODI of the series. At 39 years old, he surpassed the previous record of seven hundreds, which was shared by four players, during a thrilling performance in the series decider. This century not only solidified his reputation as one of India’s all-time great opening batters but also showcased his ability to shine on the biggest stage, even as retirement talks swirl around him.
Soon after the match, Rohit made it clear that outside opinions do not affect his mindset. Speaking to the BCCI, he said, “My job is with the bat. Come and play, represent my country. That’s what I have been told to do since I made my debut. That’s what I am going to do. Since I made my debut, the noise was there. Till the time, I am going to be there, the noise will be there. What matters is what I do on the field. I want to try and contribute to the success of the team. That’s all my focus is.”
Most Away ODI Centuries By a Batter
| Player | Country | Hosts | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 100s |
| Rohit Sharma | India | England | 30 | 1567 | 65.29 | 90.78 | 8 |
| Quinton de Kock | South Africa | India | 21 | 1085 | 51.66 | 104.52 | 7 |
| AB de Villiers | South Africa | India | 20 | 1125 | 70.31 | 113.98 | 7 |
| Saeed Anwar | Pakistan | U.A.E. | 51 | 2179 | 45.39 | 84.26 | 7 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | India | U.A.E. | 42 | 1778 | 48.05 | 92.79 | 7 |
Rohit Sharma Silences Critics With Historic 138 at Lord’s
Rohit truly delivered when it mattered most, stepping up with a powerful innings under pressure. Chasing a daunting target of 388, he dazzled with a remarkable 138 runs off just 110 balls, smashing 17 fours and five sixes along the way. This century also made him the first Indian batter to notch an ODI hundred at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. He initially formed a solid 147-run opening partnership with Shubman Gill, then added another 113 runs with Virat Kohli, keeping India’s hopes alive well into the chase. Although India ultimately finished at 360 for 7 and fell short by 27 runs, Rohit’s performance became the highlight of the match.
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This impressive knock came on the heels of rumors suggesting that selectors were considering moving on from the seasoned opener. However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia quickly put those rumors to rest before the match, assuring everyone that the Lord’s ODI wouldn’t be Rohit’s last appearance. Inside the dressing room, there was no sign of worry regarding the speculation. Captain Shubman Gill mentioned that Rohit hadn’t brought up retirement with the team and praised the veteran’s innings, saying it was a joy to witness from the non-striker’s end.
The stats continue to back Rohit’s position in India’s ODI lineup. Over the past two years, he has racked up 1,029 runs in 23 ODIs, including three centuries. Even while battling cramps during his 110-ball innings at Lord’s, he pushed through, showcasing his determination and fitness. With India not set to play another ODI until the home series against West Indies in September-October, Rohit’s record-breaking century has alleviated immediate pressure and reaffirmed his status as India’s top opening batter.
