Rohit’s century, Jadeja and Akshar’s half-centuries strengthen India’s position

Captain Rohit Sharma’s brilliant ninth Test century followed unbeaten half-centuries from all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Akshar Patel as India took a crucial 144-run lead in the first innings on Friday, the second day of the first cricket Test against Australia. This is Rohit’s first Test century as captain, with the help of which India scored 321 runs for seven wickets. Jadeja, who took five wickets in the Australian innings, is playing on 66 and Akshar Patel on 52 runs. Both have added 81 runs in the unbroken eighth wicket partnership.

Australia scored 177 runs in the first innings. In response, India has taken a lead of 144 runs so far while both the batsmen at the crease are not facing any problem in scoring runs. Spinner Todd Murphy, making his debut for Australia, took five wickets for 82 runs in 36 overs but the rest of the bowlers could not get the expected success. At the same time, just before the end of the second day’s play, Steve Smith added to Australia’s troubles by dropping Jadeja’s catch off Nathan Lyon.

Jadeja faced 170 balls and hit nine fours while Akshar hit eight fours in his 102-ball innings. Earlier, India started playing ahead of yesterday’s score of 77 runs for one wicket. On a slow pitch where it was difficult for other Indian batsmen to score runs, Rohit scored 120 runs, playing with great restraint. His century was as brilliant as the innings of 161 runs played in Chennai in 2021. He played Australian spinners Lyon and Murphy well.

Rohit completed his century in 171 balls and hit 15 fours and two sixes in his 212-ball innings. The biggest feature of his innings was that he kept on rotating the strike. He did not show haste to reach triple digits. He completed the century by playing a shot to Murphy at extra cover. After scoring a century, he neither celebrated by jumping, nor said anything nor greeted by taking off his helmet.

He looked at the dressing room just once. He was bowled by Australian captain Pat Cummins after tea. At the same time, Murphy took the fifth wicket in the form of debutant wicket-keeper batsman Shrikar Bharat (eight). Earlier, Virat Kohli (12) and Suryakumar Yadav (8) were dismissed cheaply in the second session. Kohli was caught by Murphy at the hands of wicketkeeper Alex Kari on the ball going outside the leg stump.

At the same time, Suryakumar, playing his first Test, was dismissed by Leone. India lost the wickets of Ravichandran Ashwin (23) and Cheteshwar Pujara (seven) in the morning session. The pitch showed no signs of breaking down and Rohit and Ashwin batted in the morning with the bounce being slow. Both shared a 42-run partnership. With the pitch slowing down, both Australia’s off-spinners Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy had to bowl a bit quicker. Ashwin also hit Lyon for a six. Murphy broke the partnership by taking his wicket. At the same time, Cheteshwar Pujara lost the wicket by his mistake, while this ball of Murphy was not that dangerous. Pujara played a sweep shot on the outgoing ball and Scott Boland took a simple catch.