Rohit Sharma was included for the Sydney Test to sort out the opening woes of the Indian team. Though he put on a 70-run stand with Shubman Gill for the first wicket, he was dismissed cheaply for 26. With all the talks about the inclusion of Rohit bringing an end the Indian top-order remained unanswered as the Mumbai batsman failed to get a big score. He scored 26 of 77 deliveries and in the process survived a close call against off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
Despite getting out on a low score, Rohit achieved a small little milestone for himself in the Test match. He became the first batsman to hit 100 sixes against Australia in international cricket. Rohit played his last Test against Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. That was also India’s first day-night Test match.
Due to a prolonged hamstring injury, Rohit was out of the Indian Test squad for the first two Tests. He had to undergo a mandatory quarantine period after arriving in Australia on December 11. He replaced Mayank Agarwal, who struggled in the four innings. However, it was not the best of starts for the Hitman. He was dismissed by Josh Hazelwood as he hit one straight back to him on his follow-through.
Also Read: Sunil Gavaskar Backs Team India’s Reluctance Over Playing Brisbane Test
Rohit’s opening partner Shubman Gill scored his maiden Test fifty and looked solid with his technique. He drove accolades from all quarters after his brilliant knock. India ended the day on 96 for 2. Senior batsman Cheteshwar Pujara (9* off 53) and captain Ajinkya Rahane (5* off 40) added 11 runs for the 3rd wicket at stumps on Day 2.
These are some of the Tweets on Rohit Sharma
https://twitter.com/Siddhar18240017/status/1347427235712671744?s=20
https://twitter.com/GoatKohli18/status/1347427761841795072?s=20
Did Rohit do his job he was selected for? Mind you this is Sydney, not Adelaide or Melbourne! #INDvsAUSTest #INDvsAUS #RohitSharma
— Gautam Govitrikar DMD (@Gautaamm) January 8, 2021
Virat Kohli Test Centuries in Australia vs Australia – 6
Rohit sharma Total Test centuries of his career – 6
— Tillu (@MonsterKohli) January 8, 2021
Hogya? ROHIT ROHIT ?
26 is what he made 😂#INDvsAUS #INDvsAUSTest @ImRo45 #RohithSharma @BCCI #RohitSharma— Sushant Singh Rajput (@noledjoker_) January 8, 2021
https://twitter.com/swing_drive/status/1347428087424720898?s=20
https://twitter.com/mansifule/status/1347428058735595522?s=20
Meanwhile, Australia were bowled out for 338 in their first innings on the back of Steve Smith’s 27th Test ton and 91 from Marnus Labuschagne.
Ravindra Jadeja was the most successful among all Indian bowlers picking up four for 62. His wickets included Labuschagne, Matthew Wade (13) and Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon on ducks to not allow them to post a huge total in the end. Jadeja also hit the bull’s eye to halt Smith’s innings at 131.
Also Read: Aakash Chopra Slams Australian Media For Showing India In Negative Light Over Brisbane Test
