'Talk about leading from the front!' - Twitter lauds Rohit Sharma as he brings up his 30th ODI century

Rohit Sharma scored a much-awaited hundred against New Zealand in the third and final ODI of the series, on Tuesday (January 24). He ended his century drought to register his 30th ODI hundred, and handed India a flying start while opening the batting alongside Shubman Gill at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. 

The Indian skipper's last ODI hundred came three years ago in January 2019 against Australia. He scored 83 against Sri Lanka earlier this month and 51 in the second ODI against New Zealand, and finally managed to reach the three-figure mark, treating his fans with an 83-ball century. He smashed nine fours and six sixes as he completed a century in the innings' 26th over but was dismissed by Michael Bracewell's delivery in the next over.

New Zealand won the toss and invited India to bat first after losing the opening two matches. Rohit and Shubman Gill gave India another good start and seemed settled from the start. Rohit cleared his intentions with two fours to Jacob Duffy's deliveries in the third over and never looked troubled with his shot selection. Though he struggled to convert the starts into big scores, Rohit finally managed to end the drought.

But Rohit dominated the Kiwi bowlers and looked patient with his style as he approached his hundred. Shubman Gill also contributed with a hundred to continue his red-hot form in ODIs. He and Rohit pulled off a quick 212-run opening partnership, handing India a dream start to the innings.

Gill completed his century with a boundary in the 26th over, but was dismissed soon after Rohit Sharma as Ishan Kishan and Virat Kohli took charge. 

The cricket fraternity was quick to celebrate Rohit's century and took to Twitter to express their emotions. Rohit's Indian Premier League franchise Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore congratulated the player for his 30th ODI hundred. Former cricketers Irfan Pathan and Yuvraj Singh also posted a message on their Twitter handles, with the former saying, "this was coming." 

Here is how Twitter reacted to Rohit Sharma's ODI century after three years:

Hundred for Captain Rohit Sharma, 30th in ODI, He is back, what a knock it has been.

100* from just 83 balls!!!!! pic.twitter.com/10TeXdi5q8

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 24, 2023

Rohit Sharma fans in Indore. pic.twitter.com/oIeSGmMHua

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 24, 2023

Ye to hona hi tha 💯 from roHIT Sharma 👏 #IndvsNZ

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 24, 2023

𝑪𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝑹𝑶 चा राडा at 𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒆 💥🏏

ODI 💯 No. 3️⃣0️⃣ for 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐧 👏🏻#OneFamily #INDvNZ @BCCI @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/JbMoD9v2XE

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) January 24, 2023

There it is! The 3️⃣0️⃣th ODI century for Rohit Sharma. 🔥

📸: BCCI #PlayBold #TeamIndia #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/viWt1sCvc4

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) January 24, 2023

Virat Kohli's celebration when Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill completed his Hundreds. pic.twitter.com/QyIjkj5XjM

— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) January 24, 2023

Gill gill gill !!! You beauty 🤛 @ShubmanGill congratulations @ImRo45 about time you scored your 30th ton 💪 shabash mundiyo!!! Chake de 🇮🇳 #IndiaVsNewZealand

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) January 24, 2023

𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗬! 🔥

Talk about leading from the front! 🙌🏻

A magnificent century from #TeamIndia captain @ImRo45 💯

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/ojTz5RqWZf…#INDvNZ | @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/iR3IJH3TdB

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 24, 2023