NEW DELHI: Under immense pressure to perform, Rohit Sharma managed to silence his critics with a much-needed fifty in the second ODI against Australia at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.

However, it was not the flamboyant innings he is known for, as he recorded his slowest ODI half-century since 2015, reaching his 59th fifty off 74 balls.

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Upon reaching the milestone, Rohit's celebration was subdued. After a challenging period negotiating Josh Hazlewood, he appeared to regain his rhythm, dispatching Mitchell Owen for a couple of sixes over deep square leg, offering glimpses of his vintage self.

Since 2022, Rohit has recorded 19 scores of 50 or more, but this is only the second time he has reached the mark with a strike rate below 100.

Rohit's innings came to an end when he holed out to Hazlewood at fine leg off Mitchell Starc. His 73-run knock off 97 balls featured seven fours and two sixes.

Earlier, Rohit had rescued India from a precarious 17/2, sharing a 118-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer for the third wicket.

Rumors had suggested that the Adelaide ODI could have been Rohit's last international match had he failed to deliver. For now, however, those talks can take a backseat, as he once again proved that class is permanent.

Rohit, who is now a one-format player having retired from T20Is and Tests, did not last long against Australia's potent pace attack on a bouncy Perth track in the series opener.