Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara stitched up a crucial partnership in the second innings of the ongoing fourth Test between India and England. They added 153 runs for the second wicket in 278 deliveries at The Oval on Day 3.
The India opener Rohit talked about the partnership after the end of the day's play, and jokingly said they have switched roles. Pujara, who normally likes to take time and block most of the deliveries, was seen going for runs and playing the scoring shots.
"The role has been reversed a little bit. Normally, I like to play the shots and get off to the scoreboard quickly and you take time, the roles have reversed now. But I am happy, I am happy to play as many balls as possible. That was for me the biggest challenge on this tour because runs and shots will come as long as you spend time in the middle, get a feel of the pitch, bowlers, conditions, runs will come," Rohit said in a video posted on BCCI.tv.
Before Pujara walked in, Rohit and KL Rahul had posted a partnership of 83 runs for the first wicket. The India number 3 batsman thanked the openers for making it a little easy for him to play shots as they saw off the new ball.
"It was a good start (chuckles). Thanks to you guys, the ball was old and I could play my shots. It was slightly easier to bat in that session," Pujara said.
Rohit scored his first overseas Test hundred on Day 3 and got out after scoring 127 runs off the bowling of Ollie Robinson. Pujara wished him many more centuries and a similar partnership with him in the coming days.
"I'm really pleased that we got a 100-run partnership as well. Hopefully, we get many more such innings going forward. Really, really well played Rohit, congratulations and I hope that you have many more hundreds like this," he said.
