Did You Know? Rohit Sharma Smashed Historic Lord's ODI Century With Shardul Thakur's Bat

Rohit Sharma scored a historic ODI century at Lord's against England with a powerful knock of 138 runs. The story behind this achievement is that he used a bat gifted to him by his teammate Shardul Thakur. This unique connection between the two Mumbai players was celebrated by fans on social media.

Former Team India captain and veteran opener Rohit Sharma lit up Lord’s with a statement-making knock in the third and final ODI of the series against England on Sunday, July 19.

Rohit played a brilliant knock of 138 off 110 balls, including 17 fours and 5 sixes, at a strike rate of 125.45 in the Men in Blue’s 27-run defeat to England, which saw the visitors lose the series 1-2 despite the former captain and veteran opener’s heroics. The 39-year-old scripted history by becoming the first Indian batter to score an ODI century at Lord’s.

Amid the speculation of retirement following the reports of the BCCI selection committee moving on from him after the England ODI series, Rohit Sharma answered his doubters emphatically, carving out a magnificent century at the iconic venue that served as a powerful reminder of his enduring class and ability to deliver on the biggest stages.

Rohit Sharma Used Shardul Thakur’s Bat

As Rohit Sharma once again made a statement with his record-breaking knock in the Lord’s ODI against England, little did anyone know that the weapon behind his historic innings was actually a bat gifted to him by his Mumbai and India teammate Shardul Thakur.

Thakur revealed during the commentary for Sony Sports Network when he pointed out his signature on the base of the bat used by Rohit. Revealing the backstory behind the gesture, the pace bowling all-rounder shared that the former India captain had previously approached him to request a couple of custom bats after admiring the quality of his sponsored willows.

“I am signed with SS bats and Jatin Sareen (owner) has been very kind to send me some excellent piece of willows. Rohit once requested me to give him a couple of bats since he loved them.” Thakur told The Indian Express.

“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 the question. And today I am really happy that he scored his historic hundred at Lord’s cricket ground using one of my bats,” he added.

"𝒀𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒈𝒂 𝒌𝒂𝒍 𝒌𝒂 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆" 😌

Truer words have not been spoken, Shardul 🤌

Watch #ENGvIND 3rd ODI LIVE NOW on Sony Sports Network TV channels. #SonySportsNetwork #MamlaPersonalHai #ExtraaaInnings pic.twitter.com/jigSCRiR9U

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 19, 2026

Shardul Thakur and Rohit Sharma shared a long-standing bond that dates back to their formative years coming through the ranks in Mumbai cricket under coach Dinesh Lad, making the special bat-sharing moment at the Home of Cricket an even more fitting chapter in their enduring cricketing journeys.

Lord Bat at Lord's: Social Media Celebrates the Iconic Partnership

Rohit Sharma’s historic ODI century at Lord’s with Shardul Thakur's bat sent social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), with fans and cricket enthusiasts celebrating the incredible coincidence, marveling at the poetic script of the veteran opener delivering a career-defining masterclass at the Home of Cricket using his teammate's willow.

Taking to their X handles, fans and cricket enthusiasts celebrated the unique coincidence, crediting ‘Lord’ Shardul Thakur's bat for Rohit Sharma's historic Lord's century. Many hailed the heartwarming friendship between the Mumbai teammates, while others joked that only cricket could script such a perfect ‘Lord's with Lord's bat’ moment.

However, some fans even went a step further, hilariously claiming that Rohit had ‘saved his career with a Shardul Thakur bat,’ while others thanked ‘Lord Thakur’ for playing an indirect role in the historic milestone.

Lord shardul thakur's bat at lord's pic.twitter.com/p6w2jDLHtG

— प्रियदर्शी (@priyadar_singh) July 20, 2026

Lord Shardul For The Reason pic.twitter.com/EFif2LNBiQ

— Vishal Vardhan (@vishalvardhan41) July 20, 2026

The brotherhood in this team is unmatched. True friendship right there! 🤝❤️

— Ãśhïķ (@the_real_ashik) July 19, 2026

Lord's special with Lord Thakur's Bat

— Karthick RS45 (@KarthickRaj3468) July 19, 2026

Lord bat at lords

— RAMA2047 (@RAMA2047) July 20, 2026

Graced by Lord thakur in the Lord's https://t.co/tU4hHYV6ga

— brad bellick (@ni2thin) July 19, 2026

LORD coming clutch at LORD'S https://t.co/QZrJUBq9sf

— dsd (@Itz_DSD) July 19, 2026

Lord thakur ka bat at lords😭
this was all planned 🤌😭❤️ https://t.co/Wa33w5j0px

— Samay (@samayhuyarr) July 19, 2026

Century at Lords with the lord bat https://t.co/6ZPjuqRbrM

— simi sim (@simisim48) July 19, 2026

Nah man, Rohit Sharma saved his career with a Shardul Thakur bat. Who writes these scripts 😭😭 https://t.co/PvBO2pZYK7

— Dave (PREMIER LEAGUE🥇) (@AFC_Dev17) July 19, 2026

Thankyou Lord Thakur❤️ https://t.co/TvTvG73Igy

— VK45 (@sportslovervk45) July 19, 2026

Following retirement from T20Is in 2024 and Tests in 2025, Rohit Sharma has been solely focusing on ODIs, aiming to extend his illustrious international career till the 2027 World Cup, which will take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Since retiring from Tests, the 39-year-old has featured in every ODI series, including against Australia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and England, underlining his determination to remain part of India's long-term 50-over plans in the lead-up to the marquee event.