ENG v IND, 4th Test: Rohit's Ton Sets Up India's Day Out At The Oval

Rohit Sharma's ton set up a dominating Saturday for India even though England crawled back late in the day in the 4th test at the Oval. 

Resuming the day at 43/0, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul mixed caution with aggression in the first hour of the play where English bowlers also got a bit of movement. However, the Indian openers latched onto anything that was in their arc to reduce the trail. 

Rahul, who looked comfortable while at the crease, finally edged one to the keeper off James Anderson as England got the first breakthrough after the Indian openers had added 83 runs. 

Cheteshwar Pujara joined in well-set Rohit at the crease. Pujara's boundary off Moeen Ali, who two balls earlier had almost got Rohit with a surprise turn, gave India the lead. 

Even in the second session, Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit continued with where they left off. While Pujara kept finding the boundaries regularly, the Indian opener kept his defence strong. After a watchful inning of 94, Rohit chose a complete opposition route to reach his first overseas test hundred - coming down the track to hit Moeen Ali for a six over long-on. 

England handed the second new ball to Ollie Robinson, who struck on the very first delivery and removed centurion Rohit for 127. It was an end of a classy inning but in the most classical Rohit Sharma fashion - attempting a hook and getting caught at fine leg. 

Robinson didn't settle there, five balls later, he found the inside edge of Pujara and England was back in the game in just one over. Pujara made 61 from 127 balls. 

Virat Kohli, who had spent a good time on the crease in the first inning, was watchful and so was the promoted batter, Ravindra Jadeja. Kohli hit Anderson for two boundaries before the umpires stopped the play due to bad light. 

India ended the day in a dominating position - a lead of 171 runs with seven wickets in hand. 

Brief Score: 

Also Read: India tour of England, 2021

India - 191/10 & 270/3 
England 290/10