Mon Feb 10 04:35:35 UTC 2025: ## Rohit Sharma’s Century Powers India to Series Win Over England
**Cuttack, India** – Rohit Sharma silenced his critics with a stunning century, leading India to a four-wicket victory over England in the second ODI at Cuttack and securing an unassailable series lead. While Ravindra Jadeja hit the winning runs, Sharma was undoubtedly the hero, smashing 119 runs off just 90 balls (including 12 fours and seven sixes) to effectively chase down England’s challenging 305.
Sharma’s performance marks a significant turnaround after facing intense criticism following India’s recent Test series losses. His century, his 32nd in ODIs and his second-fastest, was his first in 16 months, ending a 13-innings drought. He reached his hundred in 76 balls, second only to his 63-ball century against Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup. This impressive innings also propelled him to third place on the list of all-time international century-makers, surpassing Rahul Dravid.
Sharma credited his success to a pre-planned approach to counter England’s bowling strategy, which involved targeting his body. He lauded the contributions of Shubman Gill (60 runs) and Shreyas Iyer, highlighting their strong partnership which laid the foundation for the victory and addressed concerns regarding India’s opening combination ahead of the Champions Trophy. Gill, playing as vice-captain, continues to impress.
While Virat Kohli also made a significant contribution, albeit brief, his dismissal was a minor setback. Ravindra Jadeja’s economical bowling and crucial wickets further bolstered India’s victory. Varun Chakravarthy, however, failed to live up to expectations.
The win solidifies India’s position as favorites for the upcoming Champions Trophy and demonstrates the strength and depth of their batting order. The series victory showcases a return to form for key players and positive momentum for the team heading into the crucial tournament.
First Piper 