February 10, 2025: Former cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar shared his insights on India’s captain Rohit Sharma’s stunning century in the second ODI against England, a knock that many believe silenced critics who had been questioning his consistency and future in the team.
Rohit’s explosive century of 119 off 90 balls was a spectacle, showcasing his unique blend of power and precision. After a string of low scores and scrutiny over his form, the knock served as a reminder of his incredible ability to perform under pressure. However, Manjrekar observed that the physical demand of 50-over cricket was evident in Rohit’s innings, highlighting how exhausting such a long format can be, not only for bowlers but for batters and fielders alike.
“You could see it took a lot out of him that inning,” Manjrekar said, speaking on ESPNcricinfo. “Fifty overs of cricket can be physically very demanding, and Virat Kohli knows how physically draining it can be. His fitness level has allowed him to still get those hundreds by running the ones and twos.”
Rohit’s innings was also a departure from the aggressive batting that saw him break records during the 2019 World Cup. He started cautiously, building up to the attack rather than launching immediately. This shift in approach prompted Manjrekar to reflect on Rohit’s evolution as a player, comparing it to his dominant performance in the 2019 World Cup, where he ended with 648 runs from nine matches, including five centuries. His consistency in 2019 was unparalleled, but Manjrekar expressed doubt about whether Rohit could replicate such feats on a regular basis in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
“Rohit Sharma had a different template where he didn’t have to run too much. It was amazing how he got his second double century,” Manjrekar noted. “But at this stage of his career, when you watched him go through the whole process and get that big hundred, he wanted it. Whether he can do it day in and day out like he did in 2019, we will have to wait and see. I have my doubts.”
Despite this, Manjrekar emphasized that both versions of Rohit Sharma—whether the destructive batsman of 2019 or the more calculated, patient player of 2023—are valuable assets for Indian cricket.
The 59-year-old commentator also praised the personal significance of Rohit’s knock, pointing out that while the century was ultimately for the team, it also held great meaning for the Indian skipper. “He wasn’t as attacking or looking to give India a flyer as he did in the World Cup. But still, when he decides to pace his innings, it is incredible how easily he does it,” Manjrekar said. “This one was more for himself. Obviously, he wanted the team to win, but this is the one he will say is for me.”
Rohit Sharma’s century against England marks a crucial moment in his career, offering both a reminder of his skill and an indication of the challenges that lie ahead in maintaining his form as he moves towards the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The coming months will reveal whether the captain can carry forward this consistency into international tournaments.