India vs Australia, 1st Test: Former Australia batter Mark Waugh heaped praise on Rohit Sharma, saying the star opener’s hundred in Nagpur was a masterclass in Test batting. Rohit hit 120 to help India take first-innings lead.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 10, 2023 15:53 IST
Rohit Sharma hit his first Test hundred as captain (AP Photo)
By India Today Web Desk: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri heaped rich praise on captain Rohit Sharma, saying his Nagpur Test hundred was an example of how to bat on a tricky pitch. Rohit became the first Indian captain to hit a hundred in all three formats on Friday as he led India’s response to Australia’s first innings total of 177 with a superbly-paced 120.
Rohit Sharma mixed caution with aggression wonderfully well as he took on both the spin and pace bowlers of Australia to make sure India took the first innings lead. Rohit was proactive on Day 1 as he took the attack to the Australia bowlers, racing to 56 not out at Stumps. With company from vice-captain and fellow opener KL Rahul, Rohit was putting the pressure back on Australia.
However, on Day 2 morning, Rohit curbed his natural instincts to make sure India did not lose too many wickets in the first session. He stitched a 42-run stand with R Ashwin after which India lose the off-spinner, who was promoted as nightwatchman, to debutant spinner Todd Murphy. Rohit also saw Cheteshwar Pujara getting out for 7 by playing a loose sweep shot. However, he held his composure and took India to Lunch with only 3 wickets down.
India lost Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav in quick succession after Lunch and the onus on scoring runs fell on Rohit Sharma. Partnering with Ravindra Jadeja, Rohit slowly made sure India edged past Australia’s first-innings total. Rohit hit 2 sixes and 15 boundaries for his 212-ball 120. The two added 61 runs for the 6th wicket.
“I think that the partnership between Jadeja and Rohit, it came at the right time for India. I think they both relaised the importance of that partnership. And you could see Rohit, even after getting to his hundred, it was as if he was taking fresh guard, and starting all over again. And Jadeja has improved over the years, he believes in himself and he is a useful contributor lower down the order whenever he is needed,” Ravi Shastri told Star Sports.
‘MASTERCLASS IN TEST BATTING’
Rohit Sharma put his head down and carried on after getting to his hundred, scoring 20 crucial runs before he was bowled by Pat Cummins wiht eh second new ball.
“It’s a tribute to his footwork, his temperament and skill. He has played with his wrists, played late and he is never coming hard at the ball. He has played with soft hands. A great example of how to bat on this pitch. Because of the time he has, he can play both spin and pace with good effect. And when he wants to hit, he can go big,” Shastri added.
Meanwhile, former Australia batter Mark Waugh labelled Rohit Sharma’s century a masterclass of Test batting, saying he made batting look easy when other batters struggled to put bat to ball.
“He has looked a class above everybody else on this surface. There has hardly been a false shot. It has been chanceless. He has put the foot down when he had to. And defended when he had. I am pretty sure he understands the value of the first-innings runs. It’s been a masterclass in Test batting,” Waugh said.
