Rohit Sharma silences critics with magnificent hundred in Rajkot Test, breaks several records
36-year-old India skipper Rohit Sharma scored his 11th Test ton during the third Test against England in Rajkot on Thursday. India won the toss and chose to bat first. Things were not looking good for India, as India lost three early wickets with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rajat Patidar departing in no time. India was 33 for 3, then local boy Ravindra Jadeja came to the crease. Skipper Rohit Sharma and Jadeja help India to add sixty runs before the lunch interval. India was 93 for three at lunch.
Rohit Sharma scored his first half-century of the series. He should thank Joe Root for dropping his catch at first slip on 27 runs. In the next over, skipper Rohit Sharma survived a leg-before-wicket decision off England pacer James Anderson, which was declared out by the on-field umpire Joel Wilson. Rohit successfully reviewed the decision. The duo continued their partnership further in the second session. India added 92 runs without losing a single wicket.
Rohit Sharma scored his third Test ton as captain
Rohit scored his hundred off 157 deliveries, He hits 11 fours and two sixes. He also completed 1000 Test runs against England during the knock. Not only this, with this ton Rohit became the leading century-maker among all openers in the World Test Championship since 2019. He struck eight hundred across fifty innings in the tournament so far. Rohit also surpassed MS Dhoni (78) to become India’s second-highest six-hitter in Test cricket. He only needs 13 more sixes to become India’s highest six-hitters in Test Cricket. Only Virender Sehwag is in front of him (91 sixes).
This is Rohit Sharma’s 42nd ton as an international opener, He equals Chris Gayle with this ton. Only Australia opener David Warner (49) and the great Sachin Tendulkar (45) have registered more international tons as openers.
Rohit Sharma also became the oldest Indian captain to score an international hundred, surpassing the record held by Vijay Hazare who scored a hundred at 36 years 278 days v England in 1951.