Unfazed and unstoppable: Rohit Sharma takes success and criticism in stride

Dubai: For months, Rohit Sharma’s form has been under the microscope. The scrutiny was so intense that he stepped down for the final Test against Australia in Sydney. Critics questioned his future, fans debated his decline, and even he seemed to wrestle with self-doubt. Yet, he remained unperturbed and unfazed, staying focused on success. And in Cuttack, under the spotlight once again, the 37-year-old delivered the perfect response — his 32nd ODI century.

A white-ball maestro, Rohit has built his legacy in the shorter formats. Yet, doubts crept in as he struggled for fluency in recent months. His game — built on hand-eye coordination and early positioning — seemed off, raising concerns that time was catching up with him. But in Cuttack, there were no signs of hesitation. Every drive was crisp, every pull effortless. His match-winning 119 wasn’t just a personal milestone; it was a statement that the ‘Hitman’ isn’t done yet.

Speaking in a video posted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rohit said:

“I have been here long enough, so one or two knocks would not change my mind and the way I bat. It was just about doing your things, I did my thing. Just another day at the office. When you score so many runs, you have done something right. You just need to get back to that, the mindset of scoring runs. It is a difficult thing to do, but much easier to say. In my mind, it was about enjoying.”

Rohit had been a tad tentative in the past few games, understandably questioning himself — should he go for the shot or hold back? That hesitation led to his downfall in the first ODI. But on Sunday, none of those doubts were visible as he played his drives with full flow and confidence.

“In my mind, it was about doing things I do, bat the way I do. As long as you go out there and know, when going to bed, that you gave your best, that is all that matters,” he signed off.

Rohit reflected on his 119-run masterclass, which included seven sixes and helped him regain confidence.

“Enjoyed being out there, scoring some runs for the team. Important game with the series on the line, but I broke it down to pieces about how I wanted to bat. Longer than T20s and shorter than Tests, and I wanted to break it down. I wanted to bat as deep as possible, and that was my focus.

“Looking at the pitch — when you play on black soil, it tends to skid on a bit, and you have to show the full face of the bat initially. Then they bowled into the body and kept it on the stumps, and that’s where I prepared my plan and tried to access the gaps,” said Rohit, who was named Player of the Match in the post-game presentation ceremony.

With the Champions Trophy looming, Rohit Sharma’s century serves as a timely warning to opponents — he’s far from finished. While questions over his longevity may persist, this knock in Cuttack proved that he still has the hunger, the shots, and the ability to turn games in India’s favour. The ‘Hitman’ is back, and now, all eyes turn to Virat Kohli as India fine-tunes its final preparations for the tournament.