‘Wickets were falling around him but…’ – Ravi Shastri gives his verdict on Rohit Sharma’s innings in first Test against Australia

Team India skipper Rohit Sharma scored a century on day two of the ongoing Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium Nagpur. While, on one hand, the top order failed to score, on the other hand, the Men in Blue skipper scored 120 runs which include 15 fours and two sixes.

The former India head coach was impressed by the 35-year-old’s innings and appreciated it.

“Rohit Sharma kept the tempo going for India. Wickets were falling around him but his momentum and tempo did not change,” Shastri told the host broadcaster after the end of Day 2.

Rohit’s innings set the stage for Indian bowling all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel to build up a partnership of 88 runs for the eighth wicket. Jadeja scored 70 runs, which included 7 boundaries, while Axar scored 84 runs, which included 10 fours and a six.

He needed to get a biggie to get India into that strong position: Ravi Shastri

“Rohit Sharma realized very early that he needed to get a biggie to get India into that strong position. 1st Test of the series, captain of the series, if he can lead from the front, he can get India there (to series victory),” Shastri lauded the batter’s efforts.

For Australia, the pick of the bowler was Todd Murphy, who snapped seven wickets in his spell of 47 overs at an economy of just 2.60. The veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon took one wicket and Australia skipper Pat Cummins grabbed two wickets.

India scored a total of 400 runs before getting bundled out and took a lead of 223 runs. After the end of 18 overs, the Kangaroos are in deep trouble as they have lost five important wickets of David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschange, Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb at the score of 52 runs. At the time of writing, Australia are 171 runs behind to avoid an innings defeat.