NEW DELHI – Just weeks after stepping away from a Test match in Sydney due to poor form, India captain Rohit Sharma has made a resounding comeback with a crucial century in the second ODI against England on Sunday.

Following his decision to retire from T20 Internationals after leading India to their World Cup victory last year, Rohit has faced struggles in the Test format. With his 38th birthday approaching in April, speculation has been rife about his future beyond the upcoming Champions Trophy. Reports suggest that selectors have sought clarity on his plans.

After a disappointing score of two in the first ODI, Rohit responded in style with a dominant 119 off 90 balls, reminding fans and critics alike of his prowess. Known for his effortless stroke play, the opener smashed seven sixes, reasserting his authority in the 50-over format.

“I really broke it down into pieces about how I wanted to bat,” Rohit explained after receiving the Player of the Match award. “It’s a 50-over format, but you still need to break it down, assess situations at regular intervals, and that’s what I kept doing.”

Rohit has long mastered this methodical approach in ODIs—starting cautiously before accelerating. This strategy has earned him three double-centuries in the format, including his iconic 264, the highest individual score in ODI history.

On Sunday in Cuttack, Rohit initially played with restraint, avoiding risky shots, before unleashing an array of powerful strokes against the English attack at Barabati Stadium.

“When you play on black soil, the ball skids a bit, so it’s important to show the full face of the bat early on,” he noted. “Once I settled in, I figured out their plan—bowling into the body, denying room, keeping it on the stumps. I had to adapt, find the gaps, and execute accordingly.”

With India set to begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20, Rohit’s return to form comes at the perfect time, providing a major boost to the team’s ambitions.