London: England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler expressed his admiration for Indian captain Rohit Sharma after receiving a signed Team India jersey from him following the recently concluded ODI series between England and India.

Taking to Instagram, Buttler shared a picture of the autographed shirt and described Rohit as one of his all-time favourite cricketers. The gesture came after an intense three-match ODI series played in England, which the hosts won 2-1 despite a strong individual performance from Rohit in the final match.

“One opposition player’s shirt I’ve always wanted. One of my all-time favourite players. Will treasure this; thank you,” Buttler wrote in his post, highlighting the mutual respect shared between top international players.

Rohit Sharma shines with century at Lord’s

The highlight of the series was Rohit Sharma’s remarkable century in the third ODI at Lord’s Cricket Ground, often referred to as the “Home of Cricket”. Chasing a massive target of 388 runs, Rohit delivered a spectacular knock of 138 runs off 110 balls, which included 17 fours and five sixes.

This innings marked Rohit’s first international century at Lord’s and served as a strong response to criticism following his modest scores in the first two matches of the series. Questions had been raised about his form and long-term future in ODIs, especially with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 on the horizon.

Despite Rohit’s brilliance, India fell short in the high-scoring encounter, losing the match by 27 runs and conceding the series to England.

Strong partnership with Virat Kohli

Rohit’s innings was further strengthened by a solid partnership with Virat Kohli, who scored 74 runs off 60 balls. The duo stitched together a crucial century stand, entertaining fans with their stroke play and composure under pressure.

The partnership reminded cricket enthusiasts of the long-standing success of Rohit and Kohli as one of India’s most dependable batting pairs in ODI cricket.

Their efforts kept India in contention during the chase, even as the required run rate remained steep throughout the innings.

Rohit’s impressive ODI record

Rohit Sharma continues to be one of the most accomplished batters in ODI cricket. Over the course of his career, he has amassed 11,895 runs in 288 matches at an average of 48.95 and a strike rate of 93.04.

His record includes 34 centuries and 62 half-centuries, with a highest score of 264 — the highest individual score in ODI history. Rohit is currently among the top run-scorers in the format, ranking seventh overall.

Among Indian players, he stands third on the all-time list, behind Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar, who remains the highest run-scorer in ODI cricket.

In the current year, Rohit has scored 379 runs in nine matches at an average of 42.11, including one century and one half-century.

Mutual respect between global stars

Buttler’s gesture reflects the camaraderie that often exists between players despite intense on-field rivalries. International cricket has frequently seen players exchange jerseys, bats and other memorabilia as a sign of mutual respect.

Rohit Sharma’s elegant batting style and ability to perform in high-pressure situations have earned him admiration from cricketers around the world, including opponents.

Buttler himself is regarded as one of England’s most explosive batters and has led his team to major successes in white-ball cricket. His appreciation for Rohit highlights the global recognition of the Indian captain’s achievements.

What lies ahead for both teams

Following the England series, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are expected to return to action during India’s upcoming ODI series against the West Indies at home, scheduled from September 27 to October 3.

The series will provide both players an opportunity to continue building form and momentum as teams begin preparing for future international tournaments.

For England, the series victory will boost confidence, while players like Buttler will look to maintain consistency in upcoming fixtures.

Conclusion

Jos Buttler’s heartfelt Instagram post and Rohit Sharma’s memorable performance at Lord’s have added a positive note to the conclusion of the ODI series between England and India. While England secured the series win, Rohit’s century stood out as a reminder of his class and ability.

The exchange of a signed jersey between two of the game’s leading players underscores the respect and sportsmanship that define international cricket beyond competition.