How childhood friend Shardul Thakur's gifted bat may have helped keep Rohit Sharma's ODI career alive
How childhood friend Shardul Thakur’s gifted bat may have helped keep Rohit Sharma’s ODI career alive originally appeared on Cricket News.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Rohit Sharma smashed 138 off 110 at Lord’s using Shardul Thakur’s bat.
- Childhood friend Thakur gifted him the willow out of affection.
- India lose the series 2-1 despite Rohit’s brilliant Lord’s hundred.
How Shardul Thakur’s borrowed bat might have rewritten Rohit Sharma’s ODI story?
A cricket bat handed over out of pure friendship may have quietly played a part in keeping Rohit Sharma’s one-day career going, as the veteran opener produced a stunning innings at Lord’s using a willow gifted to him by teammate Shardul Thakur.
Batting under intense scrutiny over his future, Rohit walked out at the historic venue and smashed a brilliant 138 off just 110 deliveries.
Despite the effort, India couldn’t get over the line in the series decider, and questions around his place in the side remain unresolved. However, what made the innings even more special was the equipment behind it: a bat borrowed from childhood friend and Mumbai teammate Thakur.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Thakur revealed Rohit had once asked him for a couple of these bats after taking a liking to them, and given everything Rohit has given Indian cricket, turning down that request never crossed his mind.
“I am signed with SS bats and Jatin Sareen (owner) has been very kind to send me some excellent piece of willows,” Thakur said.
“Rohit once requested me to give him a couple of bats since he loved them. We all love him and he’s given us so many joyful moments in the game of cricket that denying him the bat was out of question. And today I am really happy that he scored his historic hundred at Lord’s cricket ground using one of my bats.”
BCCI/Creimas
Rohit and Shardul: A friendship that goes back decades
Thakur shares a bond with Rohit that stretches back to their school days, having attended the same institution growing up.
The two have also represented Mumbai together across domestic cricket for years and even shared a dressing room during their time with the Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
There is little doubt that this innings has infused fresh life into Rohit’s career. Chasing a daunting 388, the innings mattered far more for India’s chances than for personal milestones.
When he brought up his ton in 84 balls, off a slog sweep against Adil Rashid, there was no elaborate celebration. Rohit just clenched his fists, a warm embrace with Virat Kohli, who shared a few words that brought a smile to his face, and then raised his bat toward the dressing room.
MORE: India’s squad for the WI ODI series announcement date: Rohit’s chances of selection
The bat spoke, but Rohit’s story isn’t over yet
One innings, however brilliant, rarely settles a debate this loaded. A hundred at Lord’s doesn’t automatically guarantee Rohit a long-term place in India’s ODI plans, and it shouldn’t be read that way either.
What it does prove, though, is that writing him off completely would be premature. The previous two matches had painted a picture of a batter struggling to stay relevant, scratchy, hesitant, and seemingly a step behind the pace of the game.
MORE: When is India’s next ODI series? Opponents, schedule and whether Rohit Sharma will be part of it
Today reversed that impression entirely. Rohit showed he still understands the mechanics of building an innings around what the situation demands.
That’s not something that fades overnight, regardless of age. The selectors may still have tough calls ahead, but this knock at least ensures the conversation continues on Rohit’s terms, not as a footnote to his own farewell.
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