Indian opener Rohit Sharma has termed his gutsy knock of 83 runs as the most challenging innings of his career so far in Test cricket and he was happy to be able to give the tourists a great start in the ongoing second Test against England at Lord’s on Thursday (August 12).

Rohit played a gritty knock of 83 runs off 145 balls laced with 11 fours and one six on Day 1 of the second Test against England at Lord’s. The right-hander also added record 126 runs with KL Rahul (127*) for the first wicket while negotiating a tricky first session at Lord’s Cricket Ground, Lord’s on Thursday.

Rahul’s splendid batting efforts and Rohit’s magnificent knock put Team India in a strong position in the second Test, as they ended the opening day at 276/3 against England on Thursday at Lord’s.

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After the end of day 1 play, the 34-year-old admitted that the conditions at Lord’s were challenging to bat, but he adopted a calm approach and shied away from playing lofted shots, but unfortunately, he fell short of his maiden overseas Test century at Lord’s.  

He tried to safely negotiate the delivery from James Anderson in the 44^th over, but could not read the ball coming inside due to the poor light at Lord’s, and sadly the brilliant delivery went through the batsman, brushing the thighs en route to bowled him out for 83.

Rohit said at the press conference on Thursday: “I wouldn't say the best because as long as you are playing. There will be a lot of opportunities that you will be having. But yes certainly challenging, the most challenging innings I have played. I felt very good, I was happy with the way we started off. Unfortunate dismissal but I couldn't have done anything to that.”

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The opener further added, “That's the challenge of Test cricket, you may have lost of shots in your books but when the conditions are against you, you have to keep talking to yourself and cut down the shots unnecessary shots especially with the new ball.”

He signed off by saying, “Once you get the feel of the pitch, once you get the conditions then maybe you can try and play some shots but I think it is important to respect the conditions here. As a batting group, we have done reasonably well right from Australia tour till today, I think batters now understand their role.”

(With ANI Inputs)