Picture Credit: Twitter/@BCCI
Rohit Sharma is the man of the moment. The Hitman registered his first overseas Test hundred on Saturday which came at a crucial phase in the series with India trailing by 100 runs in the first innings. However, the opener played his role to perfection and not only saw off the new ball but also changed gears once he had put the team on the front foot. While Rohit has been in good form throughout the series and has been the leading run-scorer for the team in challenging English conditions, he was somehow not able to convert his starts into a big hundred.
However, on Saturday, he made sure that he breached the three-figure mark and he did that in some style and grace, coming down the track and lofting one over long-on for six off the bowling of Moeen Ali. However, there was no grand celebration or gesture just an acknowledgment of the applause. Later, Rohit and Chesteshwar Pujara, who were involved in a 153-run stand for the second wicket with Pujara eventually getting out for 61, sat down together reflecting on the day's play in a video posted by BCCI.
After Rohit reflected on his hundred and said how he felt good having put the team in a good position with his knock, he also asked Pujara about his improved strike rate in the video. Pujara credited Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul for the start that they had provided which allowed him to play his strokes.
Here is a glimpse of the complete video:
The Mumbai Indians captain later said that there was kind of a role reversal during their century partnership. He said while it is he himself who usually likes to play a few shots and Pujara takes his time grinding it out for runs, it was the other way round during this innings at The Oval.
Thanks to their partnership, India were 171 runs ahead at the end of Day 3 with 7 wickets remaining. Captain Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja were at the crease after Rohit and Pujara both fell in the same over of Olle Robinson after the new ball was taken from England.