Chennai: A classy unbeaten century by Rohit Sharma enabled India reach 189 for three in 54 overs at Tea of the opening day of the second cricket test against England here today.
Rohit scored his 7th test hundred in his 35th match and first against England and also first in Chennai, to put India in A good position.
At the break Rohit was batting on 132 (178 balls, 16×4, 2×6) and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane on 36 (80 balls, 5×4).
The duo batted through the session and have so far added 103 runs in 32.4 overs for the unbroken fourth wicket.
This pair was largely in control against the older ball despite both the spinners–left armer Jack Leach and offie Moeen Ali–getting bounce and turn, scoring 83 runs in 28 overs.
Rohit, who was a bit aggressive in the first session, was rather subdued and curbed his natural instincts, though he once hoisted Moeen Ali over the long off to move to 97.
After being slightly jittery for a while, a relieved Rohit
reached his century with a paddle-sweep off Moeen Ali for two runs, cheered by the Indian dressing room.
The fact that he has just scored three fours and one six in this session, showed his intention to stay long and bat deep on a pitch which has been offering 4.5 deg turn as against 3.0 deg that offered on the first day of the first test.
Rahane on the other hand grew in confidence as he middled the ball well and played some superb drives.
England captain Joe Root kept shuffling his bowlers, used Stuard Broad and the pacy Olly Stone in short spells and also changed ends for the spinners. But a wicket eluded them as both Rohit and Rahane were stubborn in their approach.
Following is the scoreboard:
India (first innings) :
Rohit sharma (batting) 132
Shubman Gill lbw Stone 0
Cheteswar Pujara c Stokes b Jack Leach 21
Virat Kohli b Moeen Ali 0
Ajinkya Rahane (batting) 36
Total : 189 for three in 54 overs.
Fall of wickets : 1-0, 2-85, 3-86.
Bowling :
Stuart Broad 8-2-30-0
Olly Stone 9-3-25-1
Jack Leach 20-2-48-1
Ben Stokes 2-0-16-0
Moeen Ali 15-0-70-1.