Yuzvendra Chahal, Team India, Port Elizabeth, South Africa Vs India 2018
Rohit scored 115 in the fifth ODI (Credits: BCCI)

Rohit Sharma dedicated his century in the fifth One-Day International against South Africa to his wife Ritika Sajdeh. The India opener slammed 115 as India defeated South Africa by 73 runs to go 4-1 up in the six-match series.

The right-handed batsman Rohit had arrived in South Africa after a very successful year with the bat. He finished the Champions Trophy as the second highest run-scorer and went on to continue batting in the same manner.

The 30-year old Rohit performed exceedingly well in the One-day Internationals since returning to the team in June.

The right-handed Rohit amassed 1,293 runs at 71.83 in just 21 games. He also scored the same number of hundreds (6), as Kohli at a better strike-rate than the skipper.

Rohit Sharma, Ritika Sajdeh, Port Elizabeth, Valentine Day, Hundred
Rohit Sharma had scored 40 runs in first four ODIs. (Credits: BCCI)

However, his form in South Africa was exactly opposite to what it was a few weeks ago.

The team-management showed immense faith in Rohit by preferring him ahead of Ajinkya Rahane for the first two Tests.

However, Rohit failed to deliver before being dropped for the third Test. There were expectations that he would regain his form once he dons the coloured jersey.

ODIs and T20Is are considered his forte and many expected that the Mumbai-based star would start piling up runs. However, Rohit’s poor form with the bat continued in ODIs too. His scores in the first three games have been 20, 15, 0 and 5.

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But Rohit finally roared back to form on Tuesday (February 13). With form not on his side, he initially took his time but went on to hit the bowlers all around the park once he settled down.  His 115-run knock came off 126 balls and was studded with 11 fours and 2 sixes. As a result, India went on to post a challenging 274 for 7 in the allotted 50 overs.

In reply, South Africa was bundled out for 201. Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball, picking up four scalps for 57. As a result of the win, India won their first-ever bilateral series win in South Africa.

Rohit Sharma, Ritika Sajdeh, Port Elizabeth, Valentine Day, Hundred
India won the fifth ODI by 73 runs (Credits: BCCI)

Rohit was adjudged the Man of the Match award for his fine ton and he did not take long to make his wife’s Valentine Day special.

The batting star Rohit Sharma took to Instagram to post a selfie of himself with the Man of the Match trophy and wrote:

“Happy Valentine’s Day Rits ❤ @ritssajdeh.”

Here’s the newsfeed:

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