England had put a competitive target of 199 in the final T20I against India. The visitors knew the top order would be the key to their successful run-chase. Rohit Sharma had looked off color in the first T20I and could not contribute much in the second.
Thus, a lot was expected from the Indian deputy in the third and final T20I which was the decider. In fact, the flamboyant right-hander didn’t disappoint, as he scored a fine hundred and helped India beat hosts by seven wickets to win the three-match series 2-1. Furthermore, this was Rohit’s third T20I century.
Rohit Sharma was on fire.
Therefore, he became the second batsman to score three hundred in the shortest format of the game after New Zealand’s Colin Munro.
Rohit took his time in the initial stage of the innings. Subsequently, the Indian opener launched his attack after getting settled. The stylish right-hander scored 100 runs off 56 balls.
Rohit’s blistering knock constituted 11 fours and five maximums. Thus, Rohit was adjudged the Man of the Match as well as the Man of the series.
Moreover, Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya also provided the much-needed support to Rohit Sharma. Indian skipper scored 43 off 29 balls, whereas, Pandya gave the finishing touches with a quickfire 33 off 14 balls
Meanwhile, India ticked the right boxes in the series. Kuldeep Yadav and KL Rahul were the architects of their first win of the series. Furthermore, Rohit Sharma was also able to find his form in the final match of the series. Therefore, it is a positive sign for the tourists ahead of the ODI series.
India will like to repeat their T20I performance against the dominant England side in the One-Day series. The first One-Dayer will be played on 12 July at Trent Bridge.
Here is how Cricket fraternity reacted to Rohit Sharma’s blistering innings:
Such clean hitting by @ImRo45!!
This innings was a pure joy to watch. Hope this form translates to the ODIs. (Thanks for helping my 19th over prediction come true! ?) pic.twitter.com/xZnyAFm1Sj— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 8, 2018
What a way to start the tour. Happy to be a part of it and striving for more such victories. Great innings today by @ImRo45 bhai, congrats on your 3rd T20I century. #TeamIndia ?? pic.twitter.com/EM0DuIjR9d
— Kuldeep yadav (@imkuldeep18) July 8, 2018
Great team effort by India to win the series.After the limited over series win in SA,another very impressive performance. The bowlers did a great job to pull things back & @ImRo45 , @imVkohli , @hardikpandya7 made the chase look easy. May we continue with the momentum #IndvsEng
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) July 8, 2018
England ham sharminda hain,
Talent abhi Zinda hai.@ImRo45 , what elegance and clean hitting. 3rd T20I 100, many more to come. Great effort from Kungfu Pandya with both bat and ball. Well deserved series win.
#IndvsEng pic.twitter.com/Mut6O2dLX7— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 8, 2018
Love watching @ImRo45 Bat …. He must open in any white ball team he plays in …. #ENGvIND #itscomimghome ???????
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 8, 2018
Wohhhooo!!! What a fanatic win #TeamIndia! Proud to be part of such an incredible team & winning this T20 series #ENGvIND! @ImRo45 you beauty! We can never get enough of you knocking those boundaries & What an amazing show by @hardikpandya7
Well done guys! ?? @imVkohli @BCCI pic.twitter.com/5qV57lQdW4— Suresh Raina?? (@ImRaina) July 8, 2018
Fantastic win from India. The bowlers were outstanding to restrict England below 200 on that surface and @ImRo45 makes it look so easy. 3rd T20I ? and as effortless as ever. 6th successive T20 series win from this special side #IndvsEng
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 8, 2018
Yet another castle conquered…!!! Cheers to the victorious Indian Team @BCCI (2-1 #INDvENG in T20s). Well done @ImRo45 & @hardikpandya7 for wonderful performance. pic.twitter.com/T2A6yyy0Ew
— Mohammad Shami (@MdShami11) July 8, 2018
What a great display of team effort by everyone @BCCI !!Congrats on the win!??? #ENGvIND
— Jasprit Bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) July 8, 2018