Hitman a centurion abroad
London, September 4
Rohit Sharma was the star of the third day’s play as, session by session, India fought back into the fourth Test against England after having conceded a first-innings lead of 99 runs.
India were 279/3 in 92 overs when bad light brought an end to play on Day 3 today, leading by 171 runs with seven wickets in hand. Captain Virat Kohli was unbeaten on 22 while Ravindra Jadeja, again promoted to No. 5, would resume his innings at 9 runs tomorrow morning. India 227 runs on the day in the 76 overs that were possible, losing only three wickets.
India were in a much stronger positon after 80 overs at 236/1, with Rohit Sharma batting on 127 and Cheteshwar Pujara on 61. England then took the new ball and Ollie Robinson dismissed Sharma with the first ball of the 81st over and Pujara with the last ball, leaving India in sudden shock at 237/3. After that, Kohli and Jadeja began the battle to build up a partnership, and they had added 33 runs in 11 overs by close of play.
Rohit’s ton
Earlier, Sharma showed exceptional temperament to score a fine hundred as India slowly took control, reaching 199/1 at tea.
One of the more elegant modern batsmen, Sharma during the series has curbed his ego to present a solid defence, but he brought his ‘Hitman’ instincts to the fore with a straight six off Moeen Ali that hit the second tier of the Oval stands en route his hundred. It took eight years and 43 Test matches for Sharma to get an overseas hundred, that too in England in tough conditions.
Sharma showed a lot of restraint at the start when KL Rahul (46) was attacking the bowlers but in between a straight drive at the outset was pleasing to the ye, and the cover drive was brought out of the closet only at the end of the second hour when James Anderson over-pitched one.
Pujara should not be denied his share of the credit as his counterattacking batting did help Sharma play his shots. The square cut that had gone missing from Pujara’s game of late was back on the day as he looked the vintage Pujara who would rock back and play those regal shots. He also hit a late cut and a ramp shot, which brought a thunderous applause from the spectators.
In all, Pujara hit seven fours and the pull shot off Moeen that got India the lead was a statement for one and all.
Earlier, Rahul cover drove Robinson for a boundary and then hooked him for a six. But there were some anxious moments as Robinson got one to angle in and the on-field umpire ruled him LBW, but the decision was successfully reviewed. — Agencies
