Indian cricket team opener Rohit Sharma smashed his seventh Test hundred to put the hosts in a strong position in the second Test against England on Saturday.
The right-handed batsman counter-attacked the England bowling on a pitch that offered turn from the first session.
Rohit (161) stitched a 162-run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane (67) for the fifth wicket to help India post 300 for six wickets at the end of the first day’s play at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. India's wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant (33) and debutant Axar Patel (5) were still batting at the crease.
That's Stumps on Day 1 of the 2nd @Paytm #INDvENG Test! @ImRo45's 161 & @ajinkyarahane88's 67 guide #TeamIndia to 300/6. 💪💪@RishabhPant17 & debutant @akshar2026 will resume the play on Day 2.
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 13, 2021
Scorecard 👉 https://t.co/Hr7Zk2kjNC pic.twitter.com/scONdNQl2W
Interestingly, this was Rohit’s first Test century in over a year and after eight Test innings.
Meanwhile, former cricketers and fans took to Twitter to hail the swashbuckling innings of Rohit.
Pure Ton @ImRo45 !! What a player to watch ... like all the great sports people ... he makes it look so simple & easy which it certainly isn’t !!! #INDvsENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 13, 2021
Such a special player. Rohit Sharma was just born to bat. His batting today is an illustration.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 13, 2021
Not changed my opinion about Rohit Sharma from 3 years ago ... https://t.co/ucuKp2oQNz
— Nasser Hussain (@nassercricket) February 13, 2021
Well played @ImRo45 One of most satisfying century in challenging conditions. Also shows the importance of positive intent, decisive footwork when batting on a tough pitch. Now convert this into a biggie. #INDvsENG #class #elegance @StarSportsIndia pic.twitter.com/h9yGqmKJvs
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 13, 2021
Top class @ImRo45 you are a beauty. Brilliant 100 #INDvsENG
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) February 13, 2021
Masterclass from @ImRo45 😍 👏🏼👏🏼
— Charlotte Edwards (@C_Edwards23) February 13, 2021
208* vs 🇱🇰 - Wedding anniversary gift
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) February 13, 2021
118 vs 🇱🇰 - @ritssajdeh's birthday gift
115 vs 🇿🇦 - Valentine's day gift (2018)
161 vs 🏴 - Valentine’s day gift (2021)
Just #Rohika things 💙#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #INDvENG @ImRo45 @BCCI pic.twitter.com/EqmSnzVmkS
Earlier in the day, India had lost Shubman Gill (0), Cheteshwar Pujara (21) and Virat Kohli in the first session.
☝️ Cheteshwar Pujara
— ICC (@ICC) February 13, 2021
☝️ Virat Kohli
India have lost two big wickets in back-to-back overs! #INDvENG | https://t.co/DSmqrU68EB pic.twitter.com/HNFJNJLMDL
Rohit and Rahane handled the England bowlers with ease as they made sure Team India didn’t lose any more wickets in the second session.
A wicketless session for England!
— ICC (@ICC) February 13, 2021
Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane share an unbeaten 103-run partnership to take India to 189/3 at tea on day one.#INDvENG | https://t.co/DSmqrU68EB pic.twitter.com/pF1obS4XrW
Kohli-led India had won the crucial toss on a dry wicket and elected to bat in the morning. The hosts made three changes in their playing XI from the first Test at the same venue.
India decided to rest their premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and brought in Mohammed Siraj. Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Axar Patel made his Test debut replacing Washington Sundar.
Axar Patel makes his Test debut for India 👏
— ICC (@ICC) February 13, 2021
He gets his cap from Virat Kohli.#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/LowHqxx0jx
On the other hand, chinaman Kuldeep Yadav was included in the playing XI after almost two years in place of left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem.
For England, pace bowler Stuart Broad came in for James Anderson while Olly Stone replaced the injured Jofra Archer. The visitors also included all-rounder Moeen Ali in place of Dom Bess and wicket-keeper Ben Foakes for Jos Buttler.
Joe Root's England had defeated India by 227 runs in the first Test, taking a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.
Feature image courtesy: Twitter/ICC
