Rohit Sharma proves to be India’s lynchpin with seventh Test ton in opposition to England

After a dismal present with the bat within the collection opener, Rohit Sharma silenced his doubters by scoring his seventh Test century on the primary day of the second Test in opposition to England on the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.
India gained the toss and elected to bat first within the morning however quickly suffered a setback due to Shubman Gill’s early departure to pacer Olly Stone.

WATCH – A Rohit double pull shot on show
One went for a six and the opposite for a boundary. The @ImRo45 pull shot was in full flourish in two consecutive balls.
📽️📽️https://t.co/zzh8eNh4mX #INDvENG @Paytm pic.twitter.com/nrf9sMeJj5
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 13, 2021
Afterwards, Rohit added 85 runs for the second wicket with Cheteshwar Pujara and seemed to be steering India to a superb place earlier than the spinners struck. First, Jack Leach tossed one as much as get Pujara edge one to Ben Stokes at slip earlier than Moeen Ali scalped the prize wicket of skipper Virat Kohli simply earlier than lunch break.
In the second session, Rohit continued his wonderful present of kind and introduced up his ton in opposition to a spin-heavy bowling assault of the opposition. During his 130-ball hundred, the 33-year-old opener hit 14 boundaries and two humongous sixes.
Rohit is at present joined by Ajinkya Rahane within the center and each of them have stitched a valiant fifty-run fourth-wicket partnership.

Applause from the Chepauk crowd 👌Dressing room on its ft 👏A congratulatory hug from Ajinkya Rahane 👍
Appreciation from all spherical for @ImRo45 as he completes a wonderful hundred in powerful situations. 🙌🙌 @Paytm #INDvENG #WorkforceIndia
Follow the match 👉 https://t.co/Hr7Zk2kjNC pic.twitter.com/nWmQfH5Xem
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 13, 2021
After Rohit reached his hundred, he turned the primary India participant to attain every of his first seven centuries at house, overtaking Mohammad Azharuddin’s earlier file of six. He additionally turned the one participant to have tons in all codecs in opposition to 4 groups, specifically England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and West Indies.
Rohit additionally has the second-highest Test batting common at house (84.94) behind the good Donald Bradman (98.22). He is adopted by George Headley (77.56).

Well performed @ImRo45 One of most satisfying century in difficult situations. Also exhibits the significance of optimistic intent, decisive footwork when batting on a troublesome pitch. Now convert this right into a biggie. #INDvsENG #class #magnificence @StarSportsIndia pic.twitter.com/h9yGqmKJvs
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 13, 2021

Top class @ImRo45 you’re a magnificence. Brilliant 100 #INDvsENG
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) February 13, 2021

Another nice knock by my brother @ImRo45 , all the time making a mark on the sphere. All one of the best, hope to see you quickly🙌 #INDvENG #GoHitman #Goals 🏏
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) February 13, 2021

That Rohit 100 was so from the Sehwag faculty of batting! Set his personal agenda regardless of situations & state of affairs. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼#INDvsENG
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 13, 2021

100 within the staff complete of 147. He’s in a unique league. Today’s innings is a validation of the identical. This is likely to be the one century on this Test. रो ka kind Bharat ke हित mein hai 🥳🤗🤩 #INDvENG
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 13, 2021

Pure Ton @ImRo45 !! What a participant to look at … like all the good sports activities individuals … he makes it look so easy & straightforward which it definitely isn’t !!! #INDvsENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 13, 2021
Ahead of the second Test, vice-captain Rahane had additionally backed Rohit.
“Rohit is an important member of our team. A big score doesn’t mean you have to make 100 or 150. In Australia, he batted well, made important contributions. See if someone has one off-day, plays 3-4 bad innings, it doesn’t mean that he is a bad player. You have to back your player,” Rahane informed the media on Thursday.
India made three modifications to their taking part in XI with left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel making his debut whereas pacer Jasprit Bumrah was rested.
In-form Mohammed Siraj returned to the taking part in XI together with chinaman Kuldeep Yadav, who changed Washington Sundar to play his first Test in two years.