India vs Australia: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri lauded captain Rohit Sharma for his composed century on Day 2 of the Test match.
Nagpur,UPDATED: Feb 10, 2023 19:08 IST
Rohit Sharma scored a stunning century in the 1st Test match between India and Australia. (AP Photo)
By India Today Web Desk: Captain Rohit Sharma’s century on Day 2 of India vs Australia Test match at Nagpur gave the hosts a big lead in the 1st match of the series. While the rest of the Indian top order failed to survive the spin Test on Day 2, Sharma looked comfortable and produced a batting masterclass in the turning track. Australia tried hard to keep Rohit Sharma contained by cutting off boundaries, but could not stop his tempo.
India vs Australia, 1st Test: Day 2 Report
Sharma’s innings impressed the former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri, who lauded the Indian captain at the end of day’s play.
“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.
Sharma’s innings built the stage for the Indian lower order to capitalise, where Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel hit respective centuries to take India’s total soaring over 300 runs. At the end of Day 2, India had put on 321 runs on board for the loss of 7 wickets.
“Rohit Sharma realised 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.
India will hope to start Day 3 aggressively. They will hope to bulk up the lead before unleashing the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin, who created a lot of trouble for the Australian batting line-up on Day 1.
For Australia, debutant Todd Murphy was the best bowler on the day, completing his five-wicket haul. Besides him and Nathan Lyon the Australian attack looked largely unthreatening barring Pat Cummins’ return spell with the new ball after the Tea break.
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