RAJKOT: Skipper Rohit Sharma hit a gritty unbeaten century as India eyed a big total in the third Test against England on Thursday after a top-order stutter.
Rohit registered his 11th Test century soon after the tea break as India reached 190-3 in 53 overs at Rajkot.
Rohit and the left-handed Ravindra Jadeja, on 68, lifted India from 33-3 and put on 157 runs for the hosts’ first century partnership in the five-match series, which is level at 1-1.
The pair combined the right dose of caution and aggression to thwart the England attack in a wicketless second session.
After India won the toss, England pace bowler Mark Wood struck two early blows to put the home side on the back foot in the first hour of play.
Rohit kept calm to guide India to 93-3 at lunch and kept up the charge in the second session, prompting England skipper Ben Stokes to rotate his bowlers in his landmark 100th Test.
Jadeja, promoted up the order to number five ahead of debutant Sarfaraz Khan, raised his fifty on a hot afternoon to help India get the upper hand.
Wood came in as the only change for England and had the left-handed Yashasvi Jaiswal caught at slip by Joe Root for 10 in the fourth over.
In the next over Wood induced another nick from Shubman Gill, who was snapped up by wicketkeeper Ben Foakes without scoring.
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Spin was introduced after eight overs and Tom Hartley struck with his fifth ball when Rajat Patidar chipped to Ben Duckett at cover for five from a ball that gripped and turned.
Rohit then attacked to drag his team back into the session, but survived a chance on 27 when Root dropped a catch in the slips.
In the next over he was given out lbw to James Anderson, who needs five more dismissals to reach 700 Test wickets, but successfully reviewed with replays showing a faint edge.
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