Guwahati:Rohit Sharma has chosen to keep the meaning behind his unusual century celebration private after scoring a brilliant 101 against the West Indies in the second ODI at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
The former India captain brought up his 35th ODI century in 72 balls during India’s record chase of 406. After reaching the landmark, Rohit celebrated with a distinctive hopping jog and a punch in the air, prompting curiosity among fans and teammates about what the celebration meant.
After India’s eight-wicket victory, Rohit was asked about the celebration during the post-match interaction. Rather than reveal its meaning, the veteran opener made it clear that it was personal.
“I’ll keep that celebration to myself. Some things are just meant to be with you, and it’s not to be shared. So that was for me,” Rohit said.
Rohit refuses to reveal celebration’s meaning
Rohit’s celebration immediately attracted attention because it was different from his more familiar reactions after reaching major milestones.
The 39-year-old had completed his century in emphatic fashion while India were chasing a massive target set by the West Indies. Instead of simply raising his bat, Rohit performed a brief jumping or hopping movement before punching the air.
The celebration led to speculation about whether it had a particular personal meaning. However, Rohit deliberately chose not to explain it publicly, saying that some moments were meant to remain with the individual.
His response also came after Ravindra Jadeja jokingly suggested that Rohit should have made the celebration even more elaborate by sliding and jumping. Rohit explained that after spending 50 overs on the field and then batting for a considerable period, he was not interested in attempting a physically demanding celebration.
Rohit and Gill produce record partnership
The celebration came at the end of an outstanding batting performance from Rohit.
India were set a target of 406 after the West Indies posted 405 for seven in their 50 overs. Instead of allowing the huge target to create pressure, Rohit and India captain Shubman Gill produced a dominant opening partnership.
The pair added 255 runs for the first wicket, putting India firmly in control of the chase. Rohit contributed 101 from 75 balls, hitting 10 fours and six sixes, while Gill continued his extraordinary innings at the other end.
The 255-run stand was India’s second-highest opening partnership in men’s ODI cricket. It fell only three runs short of the record 258-run partnership between Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly against Kenya in Paarl in 2001.
Rohit was eventually dismissed after completing his century, but his contribution had already placed India in a commanding position.
Gill’s double century completes India’s record chase
While Rohit produced the foundation, Gill took the innings to an extraordinary level.
The India captain remained unbeaten on 223 from 133 balls and became the first Indian batter to score a double century in a successful ODI chase. His innings included 26 fours and eight sixes, according to the post-match report.
Gill’s performance ensured India reached 406 for two in only 43.3 overs. The victory was India’s highest successful run chase in ODI cricket and made India only the second team, after South Africa, to successfully chase a target of more than 400 in men’s ODIs.
The result also gave India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Rohit praises Gill’s concentration
Speaking after the match, Rohit highlighted the importance of the opening partnership and praised Gill for the way he handled the enormous chase.
Rather than focusing on the required 406 runs, Rohit said the Indian batters concentrated on playing each delivery according to its merit and building a partnership.
He also praised Gill for remaining composed throughout his innings and finishing the match unbeaten.
Rohit said the pitch was good for batting and that India’s top order understood the importance of providing a strong start. The approach paid off as the opening pair took the game away from the West Indies before Gill completed the job after Rohit’s dismissal.
A milestone-filled innings for Rohit
Rohit’s century was significant beyond the match result. It was his 35th ODI hundred and came during an innings in which he also crossed the 12,000-run mark in ODI cricket.
The century also came at an important stage of India’s chase, as the team needed to maintain a high scoring rate against a West Indies side that had posted more than 400.
Rohit’s 101 off 75 balls ensured that India did not allow the asking rate to become a concern. His partnership with Gill effectively laid the platform for one of India’s most remarkable ODI chases.
The match itself produced five centuries, with the West Indies getting hundreds from John Campbell, Shai Hope and Amir Jangoo before Rohit and Gill responded for India. The extraordinary run-scoring highlighted the batting-friendly conditions in Guwahati.
Rohit’s private celebration becomes a talking point
While the numbers from the match were extraordinary, Rohit’s celebration became one of the most discussed moments of the evening.
The former captain’s decision not to explain the gesture only added to the curiosity. His answer suggested that the celebration had personal significance, but he did not provide any further details.
For Rohit, however, the larger story was India’s successful chase and the partnership with Gill. His comments after the match focused more on the team’s batting approach, concentration and the importance of building partnerships than on his own milestone.
With India already 2-0 ahead in the series, the third ODI will give the team another opportunity to assess its players ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
For Rohit, the Guwahati innings provided another reminder of his ability to produce a major contribution at the top of the order. For Gill, the unbeaten 223 turned an already remarkable chase into a record-breaking performance.