IND vs ENG 2nd ODI: Rohit Sharma breaks records with 32nd century, Virat Kohli's flop show continues

Rohit Sharma silenced all doubters with a breathtaking 32nd century, leading India’s charge in the second ODI against England. The Indian skipper, who had been under scrutiny for his recent form, delivered a masterclass in limited-overs batting, reaching the milestone in just 76 balls.  

With this century, Rohit surpassed former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting to become the player with the third-most number of tons in the format. Only Sachin Tendulkar (49) and Virat Kohli (50) are ahead of him in the list. This was also Rohit’s second-fastest hundred in ODI cricket.

Check the latest score from India vs. England, 2nd ODI 

Rohit leads from the front

Chasing a competitive 305-run target set by England, India got off to a flying start, thanks to an authoritative opening partnership between Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. The duo stitched together a commanding 136-run stand, putting India in the driver’s seat early on.

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Rohit’s century came in emphatic fashion as he stepped out to Adil Rashid and launched him over long-off for a towering six. His knock was studded with seven sixes and ten fours, showcasing his ability to dominate even the best of attacks.

Before Rohit’s fireworks, Shubman Gill also made a strong impact, bringing up his half-century with ease. His fifty, his second in as many ODIs, came off a controlled flick towards square leg off Rashid’s bowling. However, his innings was cut short at 60 when Jamie Overton bowled a peach of a yorker that rattled his off stump.

Kohli fails again

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli’s struggles continued as he was dismissed cheaply, extending his lean patch in ODIs. The crowd erupted as Kohli walked in after Gill’s dismissal, expecting him to anchor the chase. However, his stay at the crease was short-lived. Kohli started well, getting off the mark with a signature on-drive for four. But his innings came to a disappointing end when he was deceived by Rashid’s sharp turner, edging it to wicketkeeper Phil Salt. A review confirmed the edge, and Kohli had to walk back for a low score, leaving the crowd stunned.

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Despite Kohli’s early departure, Rohit showed no signs of slowing down. He took on England’s pace attack, smashing them for fours and sixes.