IND v WI 2026: “Not batting at his best,” Ashwin’s bold remark on Rohit Sharma despite veteran opener’s ton in 2nd ODI

India pulled off their highest-ever successful run chase in ODI history by tracking down a massive target of 406 runs against the West Indies at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday (September 30).

With this remarkable victory, the Men in Blue gained an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series with a game to spare.

While skipper Shubman Gill headlined the chase by smashing 223* off just 133 deliveries, his opening partner Rohit Sharma also played a significant knock of 101 runs in 75 balls. In doing so, Rohit notched up his 35th ODI century and crossed the landmark of 12,000 ODI runs.

Despite his second three-figure score in last three outings, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin reckons Rohit Sharma is not batting at his best.

Ashwin pointed out that Rohit is trying to play the pickup pull shot more frequently on good-length deliveries coming into the line of the stumps, leading to missed connections.

“If you ask me, is Rohit batting at his best? Maybe not. He is not batting at his best, but he is still that good. I’m saying this after noticing just one thing: he is not batting at his best because, sometimes, when the ball is coming into the line of the stumps, especially the length deliveries, he is trying to play that pickup shot and missing it quite often. He is getting beaten even on those balls that are landing on a good length,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Ashwin warned fast bowlers can exploit his slight difficulty with back-of-a-length deliveries around the stumps. He also highlighted that Rohit’s shoulder turns slightly and his body shape shifts toward the leg side, differing from his peak form where he remains balanced and in shape to the ball.

“That is one area that some of the better fast bowlers will be able to exploit because he is having a little bit of trouble with back-of-a-length deliveries around the stumps. That is why his shoulder is turning slightly and his shape is getting affected, and he is looking towards the leg side a little bit. Rohit Sharma in good form stays in shape to the ball, and whenever the ball comes into his hitting zone, he hits it. He is looking for the pickup pull more often now, which is why I’m saying he is probably not batting at his best,” Ashwin added.

????Ravichandran Ashwin on Rohit Sharma's batting:

“Rohit is not batting at his best.”

Ashwin says Rohit is searching for the pickup pull a bit too much right now and getting troubled by back-of-a-length balls on the stumps.

But with runs and confidence behind him, Ashwin…

Rohit Sharma declined to explain his unique high-knee celebration after reaching his century in Guwahati ODI, stating the gesture had a deeply personal meaning

Reflecting on his celebration, Ashwin claimed that Rohit's passionate high jumps and fist-pumping were a direct reply to the critics and selectors who questioned his fitness and age ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.

“He celebrated because he has broken down everyone’s opinion, one by one. Everyone was saying that he couldn’t make it to the 2027 World Cup, and he is breaking that down one by one. And I really enjoyed watching that celebration because, you know, it was like a child celebrating. If, after reaching this age, after so many years and with so much experience, you can still celebrate like that, it tells all of us how much it means to him. Rohit Sharma’s innings yesterday was exceptional, unbelievable, and he knows what he is doing,” Ashwin remarked.

Rohit Sharma will next be in action during the inconsequential third ODI against the West Indies, scheduled for October 3 in New Chandigarh.