Rohit Sharma Scored Century at Lord's with Shardul Thakur's Bat
Rohit Sharma made history, scoring India's first-ever ODI century at Lord's against England, a magnificent 138-run innings. The remarkable feat was achieved using a bat belonging to teammate Shardul Thakur, who confirmed the unique detail. This crucial knock in the 3rd ODI came amidst intense retirement speculation.
In a gripping climax to the three-match One-Day International series, Indian captain Rohit Sharma defied immense pressure and retirement speculations to smash a historic 138 runs off 110 balls against England at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground. The century, a personal and national milestone, was made even more remarkable by the revelation that the 'Hitman' wielded a bat bearing the name of his Mumbai teammate, Shardul Thakur. IND vs Eng Match Result: England Defeats India by 27 Runs To Secure ODI Series Victory, Rohit Sharma Scores 138.
A Century of Significance
Rohit's magnificent knock was not merely a display of individual brilliance but a record-breaking performance that will be etched in Indian cricket folklore. At 39 years and 80 days, he became the oldest Indian to score an ODI century and the oldest to achieve a century across all international formats for India. This was his 34th ODI hundred and his eighth in England, the most by any visiting batter in the country. Crucially, it marked the very first time an Indian batter had registered an ODI century at the 'Home of Cricket,' Lord's, surpassing Sourav Ganguly's previous highest of 90 at the venue.
The Batting Masterclass
Chasing a colossal target of 388 set by England, who posted the highest ODI total ever recorded at Lord's (387/3), Rohit anchored India's reply with a masterful innings. His century came off 84 deliveries and included 17 fours and 5 sixes, showcasing his characteristic blend of elegance and power. He forged crucial partnerships, including a 147-run opening stand with Shubman Gill (77) and a 113-run partnership with Virat Kohli (74), keeping India's hopes alive in a challenging chase.
Shardul Thakur's Unsung Contribution
The unexpected narrative of the day emerged when eagle-eyed fans and commentators noted 'Shardul Thakur' written on Rohit's bat. When Rohit was batting, Shardul Thakur himself confirmed the detail while he was commentating in Hindi for the official broadcaster.
Shardul Thakur Confirms It was His Bat
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Series Decider and Future Implications
Despite Rohit Sharma's valiant effort, India ultimately fell short by 27 runs, bowled out for 360/7 in 50 overs, conceding the series 2-1 to England. The match was played under the shadow of widespread speculation regarding Rohit's future in international cricket, with reports suggesting this could be his final ODI appearance. However, his emphatic century at Lord's served as a powerful statement, silencing critics and reminding everyone of his enduring class and determination. The BCCI was quick to dismiss retirement claims, with the Indian Cricket Board secretary stating he is still part of the squad.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 20, 2026 01:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
