In a match filled with twists, tumbles and a jaw-dropping turnaround, Rohit Sharma's 127 stood tall as the anchor of India’s most complete performance on English soil in recent memory
India's tour of England is on the horizon! On June 20, 2025, the Men in Blue will once again step onto English soil, now under the leadership of fresh-faced captain Shubman Gill. A new chapter unfolds with fresh challenges; India hasn't won a Test series in England since 2007, and with veteran players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and R Ashwin retired from red-ball cricket, the stakes are higher than ever.
As the team prepares for this exhilarating adventure, let's remember one of India's most iconic performances overseas. It was a moment when resilience triumphed over style when a single batter stood as the bulwark against defeat. The fourth Test at The Oval in 2021 didn't just change the series; it etched Rohit Sharma's name into English cricket's history!
credit: ESPN
A century in England is a true hallmark for any batter, but a hundred at The Oval? That's a performance for the ages. For Rohit Sharma, 2021 marked a turning point after years of struggling in red-ball cricket. The fourth Test was tense, with mounting pressure and tricky conditions. Yet, when India needed a saviour, Rohit rose to the occasion and played a commanding innings.
With the series tied at 1-1, India found themselves in a dire situation after a dismal first innings, scoring just 191 and conceding a 99-run lead. England's openers were in form, and the pitch was playing fair – the odds were stacked against India.
But then came Day 3.
credit: ESPN
Rohit walked out to bat in the second innings, and the air was electric. He had shown his ability to adapt to English conditions earlier in the series, but this was a different challenge. Partnering with KL Rahul, he skillfully navigated the early movement, leaving the ball wisely and fending off England's attacks with calm composure.
As time progressed, the runs surged. Boundaries flowed not from sheer power but finesse – exquisite pulls, sharp drives, and precise cuts. Rohit brought up his half-century with a flick yet kept his celebrations in check, focused on his larger goal.
A monumental century came with a six over long-on, silencing the Oval crowd. Rohit had tamed England on their home turf, finishing with a stellar 127 off 256 balls, which included 14 boundaries and a six. Most importantly, he countered England's aggression and propelled India to a significant lead.
credit: ESPN
While Shardul Thakur's twin fifties added crucial runs and Rishabh Pant's breezy knock gave the innings a push, Rohit's innings laid the foundation. India posted 466, setting England a challenging target of 368.
What followed was sheer drama. England were 100 for no loss on the final morning. Then came the turnaround. Bumrah unleashed a reverse-swing onslaught. Jadeja kept things tight. Umesh Yadav contributed as well. From 100/0, England collapsed for 210.
India won by 157 runs. Rohit Sharma was rightly named Player of the Match. His 127 wasn't merely a number; it symbolised grit, growth, and a cricketer finally conquering the one arena in which he had always struggled.
credit: ESPN
This victory signified more than mere statistics. It marked India's first win at The Oval since 1971, granting them a 2-1 lead in the series. It demonstrated that this team, even without Ashwin, could outsmart England. Furthermore, it reminded everyone that India can breathe easy when Rohit Sharma bats for an extended period.
credit: ESPN
