Champions Trophy: Rohit serves timely warning with long-due ton

Team India skipper signals return to form just ahead of crucial ICC tournament

- TRIDIB BAPARNASH

Putting an end to the lean patch that Rohit Sharma had endured in the past few months, especially in red-ball cricket, the India skipper served a timely warning for the opposition teams ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy by firing a destructive century to help India seal the three-match ODI series against England in the second one-dayer at Cuttack on Sunday.

Considered one of the best batters of the 50-over format, Rohit's cheap dismissal after a seven-ball 2 in the first ODI might have raised fears ahead of the Champions Trophy but his commanding innings of 119, that included seven sixes and 12 fours during his 90-ball stay, was enough to soothe some nerves in the build-up to the Champions Trophy, that returns after a seven-year gap.

Rohit led from the front, slamming his 32nd ODI century under the lights with a dominant performance. This was his first century since the 2023 World Cup, where he scored a magnificent 131 against Afghanistan.