Rohit Sharma hits 72-ball century in Guwahati as India chase 406
Rohit Sharma scored a 72-ball century for India against the West Indies in Guwahati on September 30, 2026, in the second ODI as India chased 406 after West Indies posted 405/7. The knock was his 35th ODI hundred.
He walked into the Guwahati ODI needing 73 runs to complete 12,000 ODI runs and reached the landmark in 282 innings, becoming the second-fastest batter to the mark after Virat Kohli. He reached his century in just 72 balls, having earlier scored 32 off 35 in the series opener in Thiruvananthapuram. Just days earlier, he had spoken about the unfinished business that continues to drive him in ODI cricket and said: "The thought will never cross my mind that the business I had is finished. As long as you're playing, there is always something to look forward to. And I'm looking forward to the World Cup, looking at what lies ahead for me."
When the hundred finally arrived, Rohit pumped his fists into the air before breaking into a series of quick steps, visibly soaking in the moment. The reaction was a marked contrast to the understated celebration that accompanied his historic Lord's hundred earlier this year, when he simply removed his helmet and raised his bat. The hundred was also another remarkable chapter in Rohit's extraordinary 2026.
Earlier this year, he scored 138 off 110 balls against England at Lord's. He became the oldest Indian to score an ODI century at 39 years and 80 days, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's previous mark of 38 years and 327 days. That innings at Lord's is part of the string of performances referenced across his 2026 season.
There is something about Guwahati that seems to bring out the very best in Rohit. Before Wednesday's innings, he had played two ODIs at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium and scored 235 runs, averaging 235.00 with a strike rate of 127.71. His first appearance at the venue came against West Indies in 2018 when he made an unbeaten 152 off 117 while chasing 323, taking India to an eight-wicket victory.
In that 2018 innings he struck 15 fours and eight sixes while Virat Kohli scored 140 at the other end. He returned to the venue in 2023 and scored 83 off 67 against Sri Lanka as India posted 373/7 and won by 67 runs. Across his first two innings in Guwahati he had crossed fifty every time and been dismissed only once.
The 2027 World Cup will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October 4 to November 21. Rohit will be 40 by the time the tournament begins, but his recent performances have ensured that the conversation around his future remains firmly centred on what he can still produce rather than what he has already achieved.
