Opening day of the third Test between India and England at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Thursday saw Rohit Sharma smash his 11th century in the longest format of the game.
It was also Rohit’s first century in the past ten innings and his first Test hundred since he scored 103 against the West Indies at Roseau in July of last year. The 36-year-old is returning off a poor run of form in Test cricket, when he had not scored fifty in his previous eight innings.
On Thursday, the skipper opened the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal and saw his opening partner, Shubman Gill and Rajat Patidar return to the hut early on as India was left struggling at 33 for three. From there on, Rohit and Ravindra Jadeja helped India recover with a hundred-run stand for the fourth wicket.After going through a slump in Test cricket, the 36-year-old has not scored fifty in his previous eight innings.
With an optimistic attitude, Rohit scored his half-century in just 71 balls. Additionally, he and Ravindra Jadeja forged an important alliance that helped save India from being reduced to 33 for 3 in 8.5 overs.
After playing a brilliant innings Rohit fell for 131. Rohit was clearly frustrated with how he got out. He knew the short ball tactic was in play and was going for the big shot. Overall it was a high-quality innings that had put India in a strong position.
Had his share of luck
Rohit had his fair share of luck and was dropped in the slips by Joe Root when he was on 27. When he was batting on 29, Rohit was ruled leg-before-wicket by on-field umpire Joel Wilson off the ball of James Anderson before he had the decision reversed owing to an inside edge.
Broke some records
In the Test series against England, Rohit is the seventh Indian captain to get 100 points, and the first since 2018.
While reaching his hundred, Rohit also surpassed MS Dhoni‘s record of 78 Test wickets. After Virender Sehwag, the Indian captain currently holds the second-highest number of Test maximums for his country.
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