The veteran Indian opener, Rohit Sharma managed to amass his seventh Test century on Saturday in the second Test against England at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. Rohit got to the milestone off 130 balls with the help of 14 fours and a couple of sixes. Opening the batting for India on the first morning after Virat Kohli won the toss, Rohit lost partner Shubman Gill in the second over itself. Rohit then played some solid cricket as he kept on smashing boundaries, and even pulled Ben Stokes for a massive six.
Rohit brought up his fifty off just 47 balls after smashing a boundary off Jack Leach in the 15th over of the innings even as Cheteshwar Pujara (21) and Kohli (0) fell around him. Rohit grew in confidence after the fifty, playing imperious sweeps and cuts off Moeen before driving Leach down the ground.
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At the end of the first session on Day 1, Rohit was at 80 not out but was subdued in the first half-hour after lunch. However, he broke the shackles against Moeen, again, by sweeping the ball through square leg. Rohit then samshed a huge six over long-off against Moeen. The six also brought up the 50-run partnership between Rohit and Ajinkya Rahane for the fourth wicket.
Applause from the Chepauk crowd ๐
Dressing room on its feet ๐
A congratulatory hug from Ajinkya Rahane ๐Appreciation from all round for @ImRo45 as he completes a fine hundred in tough conditions. ๐๐ @Paytm #INDvENG #TeamIndia
Follow the match ๐ https://t.co/Hr7Zk2kjNC pic.twitter.com/nWmQfH5Xem
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 13, 2021
After some nervous moments in the late nineties, Rohit reached the three-figure mark with a couple off Moeen just after the drinks break in the afternoon session. The 33-year-old came into this Test with scores of 6 and 12 in the first Test where India conceded a heavy 227-run defeat to England.
Earlier, India won the toss and elected to bat in the second Test against England.ย India has made three changes to the side that lost the first Test. They have decided to give some rest to Jasprit Bumrah and brought in Mohammed Siraj. Left-arm spinner Axar Patel, who is making his Test debut, and Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav came in the playing as the replacements of left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem and off-spinner Washington Sundar, respectively.
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For England, pace bowler James Anderson made way for Stuart Broad,ย Olly Stone has been replacing injured Jofra Archer. Also coming into the side are off-spin bowling all-rounder Moeen Ali in place of Dom Bess and Ben Foakes for Jos Buttler.
Here is how the cricketing fraternity reacted to Rohit Sharma’s 7th Test century:
Such a special player. Rohit Sharma was just born to bat. His batting today is an illustration.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 13, 2021
The first hundred by an Indian in 2021 ๐ฅ
Keep going, Hitman ๐#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #INDvENG @ImRo45 @BCCI pic.twitter.com/2Xmjg8X7Db
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) February 13, 2021
The value of Rohit Sharma @ImRo45 #IndvEng
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) February 13, 2021
Hitman strikes! Double it up @ImRo45 #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/oGp6QGl2KD
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 13, 2021
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Seventh Test hundred for Rohit Sharma โ his first in Chennai ๐#INDvENG | https://t.co/DSmqrU68EB pic.twitter.com/uvktWDMWHC
— ICC (@ICC) February 13, 2021
Well played @ImRo45 One of most satisfying century in challenging conditions. Also shows the importance of positive intent, decisive footwork when batting on a tough pitch. Now convert this into a biggie. #INDvsENG #class #elegance @StarSportsIndia pic.twitter.com/h9yGqmKJvs
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 13, 2021
Another great knock by my brother @ImRo45 , always making a mark on the field. All the best, hope to see you soon๐ #INDvENG #GoHitman #Goals ๐
— Suresh Raina๐ฎ๐ณ (@ImRaina) February 13, 2021
Top class @ImRo45 you are a beauty. Brilliant 100 #INDvsENG
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) February 13, 2021
Waiting for ๐ฏ of @ImRo45 bhai ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ #crossedfingers๐ค๐ฝ
— Khaleel Ahmed ๐ฎ๐ณ (@imK_Ahmed13) February 13, 2021
Pure Ton @ImRo45 !! What a player to watch … like all the great sports people … he makes it look so simple & easy which it certainly isnโt !!! #INDvsENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 13, 2021
Hitman looking good today โ๐พ @ImRo45 #RohitSharma
Jinks and Him gotta consolidate now ….. @ajinkyarahane88 ๐ #INDvENG
— Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) February 13, 2021