India opener Rohit Sharma, who smashed 161 on Day 1 of the second Test against England at Chepauk, showered rich praise on Ajinkya Rahane as the latter found form with a brilliant knock of 67.

Question marks were raised over Rahane, who registered a series of low scores after his epic ton in the Boxing Day Test against Australia in December 2020. However, the Indian vice-captain answered the critics with his bat on Saturday (February 13).

When India were struggling at 86/3, the duo of Rohit and Rahane added 162 runs for the fourth wicket to take the hosts to 300/6 at stumps.

"Ajinkya, he is one of our top players. He has done extremely well and played some crucial knocks (over the years). He has time and again shown that when the team needs a batsman to stand up, he has done that many times," Rohit said in the virtual press conference.

"Three wickets had fell before lunch and at the time he came to bat, it was crucial for us to build a partnership. We have seen many times, when the team need runs, he (Rahane) has shown his batsmanship and made runs in difficult times," he added.

Rohit also said that he also suggested Rahane to play sweep shots.

"We were constantly chatting about it, when we were playing seamers, Ajju was telling me he was standing outside the crease and I can also stand outside the crease," he said.

"When we were playing spinners, I was sweeping them from the rough, so I told him. Because the two-three balls that he played went into the air, then I told him sweep will be a better option, so he might as well play that.

"It is percentage shot on that pitch and the bowler bowling that line," he explained.

Rohit also expressed disappointment that there were even talks about Rahane's form.

"I don't understand why these talks take place? But, anyway, his knock was very important for the team at that point and our partnership was also necessary for the team and we took the team to a comfortable position till tea, because I believe 350 will be a good score on this wicket," he remarked.

At stumps on Day 1, Rishabh Pant was batting on 33 and giving him company at the other end was debutant Akshar Patel on 5.

"We still have four wickets left and we hope that the batsmen who are currently batting (Rishabh) Pant and Axar (Patel), make as many runs because already the rough patches have been created," Rohit said.

(With PTI inputs)