Rohit Sharma smashes 34th ODI century, silences critics in final ODI build-up

Rohit Sharma blasted his 34th One-Day International century on 19 July 2026, capping a dominant batting display that silenced critics ahead of India’s final ODI series talks.

What happened in the innings?

Sharma struck an unbeaten 124 off 105 balls for Mumbai Indians in the Vijay Hazare Trophy quarter-final, guiding his side to a 7-wicket win over Baroda on 19 July. The knock came during a high-pressure chase of 280, with Sharma anchoring the pursuit alongside Suryakumar Yadav. His 34th ODI ton-second only to Sachin Tendulkar’s 49 in the format-arrived just days before India’s last scheduled ODI squad announcement.

Why it matters for Rohit Sharma

The century arrived amid fresh scrutiny over Sharma’s ODI future, with selectors set to finalize the squad for the upcoming series. Gautam Gambhir, India’s new chief selector, was spotted in an intense conversation with Sharma post-innings, fueling speculation over his role in the upcoming squad. Sharma’s form had drawn criticism after a string of slow starts in recent limited-overs assignments, but the Vijay Hazare showpiece underlined his class.

What comes next for Rohit Sharma?

India’s selectors will finalize the ODI squad in the coming days, with Sharma’s latest performance likely to ease concerns over his place in the XI. The 39-year-old veteran has already announced his retirement from T20Is, but his ODI future remains a talking point ahead of the series. Gambhir’s presence in the post-match discussion suggests Sharma’s input could weigh heavily in the selection room.

The bigger picture in Indian cricket

Sharma’s century capped a strong domestic return, coming weeks after he led Mumbai to the Ranji Trophy final. His ability to deliver under pressure keeps him a key figure in India’s white-ball plans, even as younger batters push for spots. The timing-just before the ODI squad reveal-turns the spotlight squarely on Sharma’s next move.