Rohit Sharma has ended a poor run of form with his 32nd ODI hundred as India beat England by four wickets in the second one-day cricket international to win the series. Sharma last scored a half-century in October and averaged just 5.5 in his previous six innings, but he returned to form in style with a dazzling innings.
The Indian opener began cautiously, taking his time to settle at the crease before unleashing a flurry of boundaries. His 32nd ODI hundred was a testament to his class and skill, and it guided India to a series-winning victory over England.
Sharma's knock was not just about personal milestones; it was also about leading his team to a crucial win. He shared important partnerships with other Indian batsmen, who chipped in with valuable contributions to help their team chase down the target set by England.
The English team had put up a competitive total, thanks to some impressive batting performances from their top order. However, the Indian bowlers fought back, picking up wickets at regular intervals to restrict England's scoring rate.
When India began their chase, they lost a few early wickets, which put pressure on the middle order. But Sharma's hundred helped to calm the nerves, and his team eventually achieved the target with four wickets in hand.
The series win is a significant boost for India, who have been working hard to improve their one-day cricket. It is also a testament to the team's depth and resilience, as they were able to bounce back from a few setbacks during the series.
For England, the loss is a setback, but they will take heart from some impressive individual performances. They will look to regroup and come back stronger in their next series, as they continue to build towards the World Cup.
The focus will now shift to the next series, where India will look to continue their winning momentum. With Sharma back in form, they will be confident of achieving more success in the coming matches.