Skipper Rohit Sharma starred with the bat in India’s innings and 132-run victory over Australia in the opening Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test at VCA Stadium, Nagpur.
After Australia’s first innings folded for a paltry 177 on Day 1, Rohit put on a batting exhibition against the spinners to notch up his maiden Test ton as a captain. Thanks to his 120-run knock, the hosts racked up 400 on the board, taking a first-innings lead of 223 runs.
Batting in the second innings, the visitors once again found life tough against the spinners, getting bowled out for a mere 91 in the session between lunch and tea on the third day.
After the game, former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar lauded the Indian captain’s knock in Nagpur, saying that it reminded him of Cheteshwar Pujara’s batting in Australia.
“The best thing for me was that the intent was good in any case, but he even stepped out and defended quite a few balls. He reminded me of Cheteshwar Pujara because the way Cheteshwar Pujara defeated Australia in Australia, Rohit Sharma defeated the spinners in the same way in India,” said Bangar while speaking to Star Sports.
He further pointed out that Rohit batted differently on the two days and tried to capitalize the conditions in Nagpur.
"He batted differently on the two days. When he came on the first day, the approach was different. He knew he had to capitalise because once a team is down, you need to be aggressive at the same time. When they bowled better, he took a slightly defensive approach. It doesn't mean that he didn't attack the loose balls,” Bangar stated.
"He came down the pitch quite a few times and defended. Usually, players or batters intend to play big shots after stepping out, but he continued to restrain himself and he showed that, by doing it exceptionally well," he added.
In the end, Sanjay Bangar said Rohit batted with great respect and concentration in Nagpur while also praising his exploits against the Aussie fast bowlers.
"When the fast bowlers were bowling the hard lengths, where you can neither go forward nor back, he batted with great respect and concentration there. When he got the balls slightly short or on the leg side, then he pulled it brilliantly as well," Bangar concluded.
Rohit Sharma will be looking to continue his dominance when India and Australia will square off in the second Test in Delhi from February 17.
