Jos Buttler uses Rohit Sharma’s 'horror run' to defend England's disastrous form

England captain Jos Buttler has showered rich praise on Rohit Sharma after the Indian captain’s spectacular comeback century in the second ODI at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Rohit, who had been under intense pressure following his struggles with form, silenced his critics with a dominant century and guided India to a four-wicket victory over England in Cuttack.

With this victory, the Indian cricket team clinched the three-match ODI series with a 2-0 lead over England. The third and final ODI is scheduled at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 12. Notably, earlier, England had also lost the T20I series 1-4 to India.

Jos Buttler hails Rohit Sharma's explosive ton in the 2nd ODI

Well, Rohit Sharma had been ruling the headlines for more than three months due to his dismal form with the bat, especially in Test cricket, and even many suggested he retire after his one after failure. He also failed to deliver in the first ODI, which spiked the anger among the fans, with many former cricketers suggesting the right-handed batter’s time is up now.

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But the Hitman turned the table in a spectacular fashion, playing a record-breaking knock of 119 runs off 90 balls, laced with 12 boundaries and 7 sixes to help India clinch the ODI series against England. After the match, Buttler urged his own England team to ease up on themselves, citing Rohit’s case.

Jos Buttler has pointed out that if a star player like Rohit Sharma could feel the heat, then others shouldn’t be too hard on themselves either, as they have been under criticism for losing six of their eight white-ball games on the India tour ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

If Rohit Sharma can be under pressure, we should be a bit easier on ourselves: Jos Buttler

Speaking at the post-match press conference in Cuttack, Jos Buttler said, “It’s probably a nice reminder for all of us that if someone of Rohit’s caliber can be under pressure, we should be a bit easier on ourselves. He's been a great player for such a long period of time, and top players generally come up with the goods, and he obviously did that today.”

The England captain has emphasized that Rohit has been a consistent and top-class performer for years and that players on both sides should take notes on how Rohit handled the pressure. He also urged his English teammates to learn from Rohit’s ability to absorb pressure and attack when the time is right.

The star batter further noted, “Any time you're playing against great players and they're playing an innings like that, I'm sure players on both sides will be watching and learning. He played a brilliant innings and (displayed) how he can go up and down the gears and absorb pressure, putting a lot of pressure back on (the opponent).”

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Jos Buttler says Rohit Sharma's Cuttack knock proves 'Bazball' approach right for modern game

With England’s ultra-aggressive approach under scrutiny, Buttler said that Rohit’s explosive innings in Cuttack proves that the 'Bazball' approach is the right way to play cricket.

The England captain signed off by saying, “He really showed (that) in this day and age, in the modern sort of way of playing 50-over cricket, it's very dynamic, very aggressive. He scored at a rate that just confirms, really, that the way we want to play is the right way that you have to play to try and win games in cricket. The way Rohit played showed that the way we want to play our cricket is the correct way to play cricket.”