Rohit Sharma etched his name in the cricket record books on Sunday by becoming the batter with the most ODI centuries by a visiting nation, making a magnificent hundred at Lord’s that helped India stay alive in the series-deciding third ODI against England.The famous knock was Rohit’s eighth ODI century in England, which took him past Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar and put him alone at the top of an elite all-time list.
Most ODI hundreds are in a visiting nation
- Rohit Sharma – 8 in England
- Sachin Tendulkar – 7 in UAE
- Saeed Anwar – 7 in UAE
- AB de Villiers – 7 for India
- Quinton de Kock – 7 for India
The century is yet another remarkable addition to Rohit’s glittering ODI legacy. Among all England batsmen, only Joe Root (10) has scored more ODI hundreds for the country, while former England opener Marcus Trescothick also has eight.Under intense scrutiny after failing to register a fifty-plus score in his last eight ODI innings and amid speculation over his future, the 39-year-old responded in the most emphatic way with his 34th ODI century at the Home of Cricket.
The Lord has joined Rohit’s long list of milestones
The innings also saw Rohit write several records at the iconic venue.At 39 years and 80 days, he became the oldest batter to score an ODI century at Lord’s and also the oldest Indian to score an international century in all formats.More significantly, Rohit became the first Indian batter to score an ODI hundred at Lord’s, surpassing Sourav Ganguly’s 90 against England in 2004, which stands as India’s highest individual ODI score at the venue for over two decades.The milestone came in trademark Rohit style. Facing Adil Rashid in the 31st over, the Indian opener swept a flighted delivery into the cow corner for four to bring up his century. As the ball raced towards the boundary, the entire Indian dressing room, including head coach Gautam Gambhir, applauded. Rohit acknowledged the standing ovation from the packed Lord’s crowd before receiving a warm hug from Virat Kohli.It was a measured innings that started cautiously before blossoming into vintage Rohit strokeplay, silencing critics who doubted his place after such a long run.
England had piled up a record total before Rohit’s reply
Earlier, England posted a fearsome 387/3, the highest ODI total ever recorded at Lord’s.Ben Duckett starred with a brilliant 141 to become only the sixth batsman to score both Test and ODI centuries at Lord’s, while Jacob Bethell made 91 during a 192-run opening partnership.Joe Root continued his remarkable consistency, extending his unbeaten streak to 249 runs while becoming the first England batsman to register six consecutive ODI fifty-plus scores. Jos Buttler then smashed an unbeaten 41 off just 13 deliveries as England plundered 63 runs off the last 19 balls.The latter blitz also produced the fastest 50-plus partnership against India in ODI history, with Root and Buttler scoring at a run rate of 19.89.