Rohit Sharma's 'Cuttack dance' solves big headache before ICC Champions Trophy

Team India, who faced two heartbreaking defeats in the last two Test series, have once again shown how big they are in white-ball cricket. The Men in Blue put on a clinical display to secure a comfortable win over England in the second ODI at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, clinching the three-match series with a game to spare. Undoubtedly, the major highlight of the tie was the resumption of the red-hot form of Rohit Sharma, who bludgeoned an all-out attack against the English bowlers and made a tricky chase a rather easy one. With this, India have clinched their 7th consecutive ODI series win over England at home.

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Rohit Sharma buries BGT ghosts before ICC Champions Trophy, scores 76-ball hundred against England

England with better show but Ravindra Jadeja catches again!

England finally managed to put up a strong batting performance, crossing the 300-run mark for the first time in the series. Ben Duckett got them off to a flying start, capitalizing on India’s short and wide bowling. However, his aggression led to his downfall against Ravindra Jadeja.

Joe Root and Harry Brook steadied the innings with a crucial 50-run stand, followed by another partnership between Root and Jos Buttler. But England faltered in the final phase, losing quick wickets and managing only 74 runs in the last 10 overs. Jadeja was India’s standout bowler yet again, picking up three key wickets and halting England’s momentum. He also handed a debut cap to Varun Chakravarthy earlier in the evening, who was the one drawing first blood against Phil Salt.

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Rohit Sharma’s ‘Cuttack Dance’ steals the show

Chasing a stiff target, India’s captain Rohit Sharma put on a batting masterclass, smashing 119 off just 90 balls. Alongside Shubman Gill, he got India off to a blistering start, bringing up a century partnership in no time. Rohit was at his fluent best, dispatching bowlers to all parts of the ground. He made it look so easy—a sight that was truly special to behold. It was as if Rohit was never out of form. In actuality, he may be out of runs but never out of elegance. Not some of but all of Rohit’s strokes came out of a batting paradise. The down-the-ground sixes to Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson were magical, while he even reverse-swept Adil Rashid.

Gill contributed a solid 60 before Jamie Overton bowled him, and soon after, Virat Kohli departed for just 5. The Cuttack crowd waited for Kohli but the slightest of edges proved costly for him. But Rohit kept India on course, bringing up his hundred in style with a massive six off Adil Rashid. By the time he was dismissed, India had the game in the bag. It was his 32nd century in the format!

There were few oohs and aahs later in the game as India lost both KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya towards the fag end. Axar Patel, who was the underrated hero of the last game, was promoted to number five yet again. It was because of the left-right combination and it did wonders as he remained unbeaten at 41 to guide India home with 33 balls in pocket.

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Rohit Sharma stats in Champions Trophy

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ICC Champions Trophy.. be ready for Rohit

Beyond the win, the biggest positive for India was Rohit’s return to top form. His century was a timely confidence boost, silencing his critics massively. The kind of shots he hammered were truly unimaginable. His ability to handle both spin and pace with ease reaffirmed his role as a terrorising batter. Initially, he used his feets against the pacers but as the innings went on, he looked to time the ball.

While England had their moments, their inability to finish strong with both bat and ball proved costly. But this match was all about Rohit Sharma, whose stunning knock in Cuttack might have just solved India’s biggest worry heading into the ICC Champions Trophy! The next game is at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and what will India want from that game? Contributions from Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami!