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Not Virat Kohli! How Shardul Thakur’s bat helped Rohit Sharma score Lord’s ODI century

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Rohit Sharma silenced the talk of retirement by scoring a historic century in the third ODI against England at Lord’s on Sunday. The India opener played a brilliant inning of 138 runs in 110 balls, but there was a lesser known fact behind this inning: Rohit Sharma achieved the feat using a bat borrowed from Mumbai teammate Shardul Thakur.

All-rounder Shardul told how Rohit Sharma had asked him for some SS bats after liking the willow. One of those batsmen became one of the most memorable ODI centuries of the batsman’s career.

Rohit Sharma scored a sensational century at Lord’s

Lord’s ODI holds extra importance for Rohit. Reports in the days before the match suggested that he was not part of India’s long-term ODI plans, although the BCCI later clarified that no official decision had been taken to announce his farewell appearance.

Facing a difficult target of 388 runs, Rohit Sharma replied with the bat. The 39-year-old scored 138 runs in 110 balls at a strike rate of 125.45 with the help of 17 fours and five sixes. He gave India a great platform after adding 147 runs for the first wicket with Shubman Gill (77) to bowl out England at 387/3.

Rohit Sharma completed his century in 84 balls by sweeping Adil Rashid to the boundary. There were no extraordinary celebrations. He simply pumped his fist, hugged Virat Kohli, smiled after a short chat with his long-time batting partner, and raised his bat towards his family in the dressing room and the stands before going back to the chase.

His innings eventually ended in the 39th over when Jacob Bethel bowled him out for 138 with India at 260. Although Virat Kohli added 74 runs, India finished on 360/7 and lost by 27 runs as England won the series 2–1.

Rohit’s innings was not only match defining but also record breaking. He became the first Indian batsman to score an ODI century at Lord’s and the oldest Indian to register an ODI century. The century was his 46th international century as an opening batsman, the most by any Indian opening batsman, while it also equaled the record for most ODI centuries (nine) by an Indian against England.

During the innings, Rohit also crossed the milestone of hitting most international sixes (346) by an Indian against SENA nations and most number of sixes (61) by an Indian against England. His 138 is now the highest ODI score by an Indian against England in England, and he also became the first player to score 15 ODI centuries in SENA countries. Adding another unique feat to his remarkable career, Rohit became the first visiting batsman to score an ODI century at eight different venues in England.

What did Shubman Gill say about Rohit Sharma’s ODI retirement?

Rohit Sharma used Shardul Thakur’s bat during Lord’s ODI century: This is the story

While Rohit Sharma’s innings grabbed the headlines, the story of the bat he used was interesting.

The former India captain played the entire innings with the bat given to him by Shardul Thakur. The Mumbai all-rounder, who is contracted to SS, said that Rohit had earlier asked for some bats from him after being impressed by his quality. Speaking to The Indian Express, Thakur said:

“I am contracted with SS bats and Jatin Sarin (owner) has been very kind to send me some excellent pieces of willow. Rohit once requested me to give him some bats because he liked them so much. We all love him and he has given us so many joyful moments in the game of cricket that there was no question of not giving him the bat. And today I am really happy that he scored his historic century at Lord’s cricket ground using one of my bats. Made it.”

Shardul also had an immediate reaction when Rohit reached three figures. He said, “This will become tomorrow’s headline.”

Friendship of Rohit Sharma and Shardul Thakur

The story behind the bat reflects a friendship that goes back much further than their Indian careers. Rohit Sharma and Shardul Thakur both come from the Mumbai cricket circuit and know each other since their younger days. He has represented Mumbai in domestic cricket for years and has also shared the dressing room with Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

Inside the Indian team, Shardul Thakur earned the nickname “Lord Thakur”, a tag that Rohit often embraces with his trademark humour. The pair are known to constantly tease each other during training sessions and tours, but this banter is always backed by genuine mutual respect.

Shardul Thakur had earlier talked about the role of Rohit in his career, saying that the former India captain made him feel comfortable right from the beginning and encouraged him to express himself freely. Meanwhile, Rohit has often acknowledged Shardul’s contributions with both bat and ball.

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