Rohit Sharma Shatters 72-Year-Old Record To Make History With Test Ton Against England

16.02.2024 - 14:34 sports.ndtv.com

Indian cricket team skipper Rohit Sharma looked in sublime touch as he slammed a brilliant century on Day 1 of the third Test match against England in Rajkot on Thursday.

It was a nearly perfect knock from the veteran batter as he achieved the milestone with the help of 12 fours and 2 sixes. It was a significant knock with respect to the match as India lost the trio of Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rajat Patidar early in the first session.

However, Rohit kept playing his natural game and stitched together a sensational partnership with Ravindra Jadeja. Thanks to the century, Rohit became the oldest Indian cricket team captain to score a Test ton.

At 36 years, 291 days, Rohit shattered the previous record held by Vijay Hazare (at 36 years 278 days vs England in 1951). Rohit already holds the record for India in both ODIs as well as T20Is.

cricket India Cricket Team England Cricket Team India vs England 2024 Test Joe Root James Anderson Mark Wood Zak Crawley Jonny Bairstow Rohit Sharma Yashasvi Jaiswal Ravindra Jadeja Rajat Patidar Tom Hartley India county Wood

No praise is enough for Ravichandran Ashwin, said captain Rohit Sharma on Wednesday, lauding the off-spinner ahead of his 100th Test as a "rare" talent critical for the team's success. The fifth and final Test against England, starting here on Thursday, is inconsequential to the final outcome of the series as India have already taken an unbeaten 3-1 lead. But it has become significant due to the 100-Test milestone set to be achieved by Ashwin and England batter Jonny Bairstow.

"Don't Know What Bazball Means": Rohit Sharma's Blunt Answer As India Aim 4-1 Series Win vs England

Ahead of the fifth and final Test of the five-match series against England in Dharamsala, India captain Rohit Sharma said he wasn't quite sure what "Bazball" meant. The hosts will take on visitors in the fifth and final match in Dharamshala, starting from Thursday. England named their playing XI for the Test with one change to their line-up from the Ranchi Test match. "I honestly don't know what [Bazball] means, whether it is to go and strike, whether it is to go and defend and wait for the loose ball," Rohit said in the pre-match press conference.

Rohit Sharma "Scolds" But Is "Yaaro Ka Yaar": Ex-India Star Explains Why

Rohit Sharma is among the most composed captains in world cricket. He took over the duty to lead the Indian men's cricket team from Virat Kohli in 2022. Such smooth was Rohit's captaincy that the shift in leadership was never felt. Under him, India made it to the finals of the World Test Championship and the Cricket World Cup last year. Former India cricketer Praveen Kumar has heaped praised on the captaincy style of Rohit, saying that the player is "yaaro ka yaar (friend of friends).

In Series Of Comebacks, Rohit Sharma Aces Captaincy Test

The contest against England's 'Bazballers' was probably the biggest Test of Rohit Sharma's captaincy at home and not only did the India skipper ace it, he also got to "learn a lot" about his leadership in what he described as a "series of comebacks" India have been put under pressure in all the four Tests played thus far but after the Hyderabad debacle, the hosts managed to put the pressure back on the opposition to seal the series in Ranchi. The finale starts on Thursday. Rohit struggled to define the 'Bazball' approach adopted by England but gave the opponents due credit.

Rohit Sharma And Co To Get Slow Turner At Dharamsala? Report Provides Big Update

The pitch for the fifth Test match between India and England in Dharamsala starting Thursday is expected to be a slow turner, according to a report by Indian Express. The report claimed that unseasonal rainfall has prevented the ground staff from working on the surface and the curators are expected to have a discussion with the Indian team management regarding the type of pitch that will be ultimately prepared. The Indian spinners have played a major role in ensuring the series win for the hosts and the pitch at Dharamsala is expected to be a slow turner once again with ample support for Rohit Sharma and Co.

Watch: Rohit Sharma's Grand Entry In Helicopter For Dharamsala Test Goes Viral

Indian cricket team skipper Rohit Sharma arrived in style for the Dharamsala Test against England starting Thursday as he landed at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in a helicopter. The rest of the team had already arrived on Sunday, but Rohit joined them on Tuesday and he also attended an event with Sports Minister Anurag Thakur in Bilaspur and played cricket with his fans. The fifth Test match between India and England is a dead rubber as the Rohit-led side has already taken an unassailable 3-1 lead over the visitors thanks to a brilliant victory in the fourth Test in Ranchi.