In the Adelaide ODI against Australia, India's opener Rohit Sharma silenced his detractors with a tough 73, but head coach Gautam Gambhir used the opportunity to crack a lighthearted joke about the star batter's retirement rumors.
In the second ODI at the Adelaide Oval, Rohit handled the pressure with poise and resolve. He took his time assessing the conditions, hitting 73 runs off 97 balls to reach his fifty in 74 deliveries, his slowest ODI fifty since 2015. The surface offered movement and bounce for the Australian pacers. He found boundaries when necessary, forming a vital 118-run partnership with vice-captain Shreyas Iyer.
He fell victim to the short ball trap of Mitchell Starc in the 30th over, as he mistime a pull and was caught at the boundary. India made 264/9 in 50 overs. But the total proved to be nothing as Australia, despite losing a bunch of wickets, won the game by two wickets.
In a viral video, Gambhir is seen laughing with Rohit on their walk to the team hotel, teasing him about a probable farewell match and asking him to pose for a photo.
The clip shows Gambhir saying, “Rohit, sabko lag raha tha ki aaj farewell match tha, ek photo to lagaa do.”
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The third ODI will be played in Perth on Saturday, October 25
