Even though Rohit Sharma’s incredible century against England in the third ODI at Lord’s garnered a lot of attention, the bat he used had an intriguing history. The Indian opener played his record-breaking knock with a bat that his Mumbai colleague Shardul Thakur gifted him.
With 17 fours and five sixes, Rohit Sharma scored an incredible 138 off 110 balls while chasing the difficult target of 388. Despite India’s eventual 27-run defeat as England won the three-match series 2-1, the experienced opener’s performance helped him make history as the first Indian batsman to score an ODI century at Lord’s.
“I am signed with SS Bats and Jatin Sareen (owner) has been very kind to send me some excellent piece of willows,” Thakur revealed, adding that Rohit Sharma had requested a few bats after being satisfied with the quality of the willow that SS Bats had given him.
Once, because he loves bats, Rohit Sharma asked me to give him a few.
It was impossible to deny him the bat since we all adore him and he has brought us so many happy times in the game of cricket. Thakur told The Indian Express, “And today I am really happy that he used one of my bats to score his historic hundred at Lord’s Cricket Ground.”
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“Yes, that is my bat. (Jokingly) I have given India a start while sitting here inside the comm box,” Thakur quipped, confirming that he had indirectly helped to India’s excellent start while offering commentary during the game.
Rohit Sharma was under pressure heading into the series final after scores of 11 and 26 in the first two ODIs, and speculation over his future in ODIs was beginning to surface. But in a powerful response, the former Indian captain scored his 34th ODI century off of just 84 deliveries.
He celebrated the milestone with a restrained fist pump, then hugged Virat Kohli and acknowledged his family in the stands and the Indian dressing room.
The bat’s history added even more significance to the innings. Rohit and Thakur have a long history together, having both attended Swami Vivekanand International School under renowned coach Dinesh Lad. They played domestic cricket for Mumbai after being coworkers with the Mumbai Indians.
