Rohit Sharma, India’s leader, helped his team secure a smashing 434-run victory against England in Rajkot’s Niranjan Shah Stadium’s latest third Test. The win boosted India’s position to a powerful 2-1 lead in the series of five games. After a 28-run defeat in Hyderabad’s initial Test, they bounced back impressively against ‘Bazball.’
Batting first after winning the toss, India struggled in the Rajkot Test, losing three wickets for 33 runs. However, Rohit Sharma led from the beginning, smashing 131 off 196 balls in India’s opening innings. He and local kid Ravindra Jadeja (112) put up a 204-run partnership for the fourth wicket as the hosts rallied to reach 445.
After youthful opener Yashasvi Jaiswal struck a double century in the second innings, Jadeja excelled with the ball, taking five wickets. India knocked England out for 122 in 39.4 overs, claiming a stunning win.
While the Indian camp delivered some great performances in the Rajkot Test, the game will be remembered for skipper Rohit’s various antics, which went viral. Here’s a look at five memorable Rohit Sharma moments during the third Test in Rajkot.
1. Rohit Sharma’s cheeky no ball dig at Ravindra Jadeja
Spinners delivering no balls in Test matches may be extremely annoying for the captain. On Day 2 of the Rajkot Test, left-arm spinner Jadeja overstepped many times in the same over. Not happy with the slow bowler’s lack of discipline, the Indian captain was heard saying:
“Yaar, ye Jadeja IPL mein to itne no balls nahi dalta. Jaddu samajh ye T20 hai, idhar no balls allowed nahi.” (Jadeja doesn’t bowl so many no balls in the IPL. Jaddu, think this is a T20, here no balls are not allowed.)
Jadeja bowled four overs for India on Day 2 of the Rajkot Test, conceding 33 runs without taking a wicket. He finished with stats of 2/51 in 10 overs before taking five wickets in the second innings.
2. Rohit Sharma, the not so cool captain
Rohit Sharma may be known for his calm leadership and funny one-liners, but he is also freely emotive. This was clear when he shattered his cap in fury after Jadeja dismissed rookie Sarfaraz Khan while the left-hander was on 99.
In search of his 100th run, Jadeja smacked a ball towards mid-on and took a few steps down. Sarfaraz reacted, only to be directed back by his senior partner. It was too late by then, as Mark Wood delivered a powerful shot that caught Sarfaraz short of his crease.
An furious Rohit Sharma, who was watching from the locker room, removed his headgear and broke it. Sarfaraz went back, disheartened, having scored 62 from 66 balls.
3. Rohit Sharma’s fill-in-the-blanks moment
Rohit Sharma’s tendency to forget things is well known in the world of cricket. He has forgotten several things over the years, including his passport and bat. During the third Test at Rajkot, he was unable to recollect the term ‘penalty’ and ended up making a comment to teammates that went viral.
On Day 3, during a pause between overs in England’s first innings, the Indian captain was heard on the stump cam asking his players to retrieve the ball fast, otherwise they would be fined for slow over-rate if England were all out swiftly.
“Jaldi to mangao ball yaar, hum log teen over piche hai, agar ye log all out hogaye na to humlog ko wo lagega.” (Please fetch the ball quickly, we are three overs behind. If they get all out, we will have to pay that [penalty].)
India eventually knocked England out for 319, putting them ahead by 126 runs in the first innings.
4. Indian captain takes DRS while lying on the ground
Another amusing scene from the Rajkot Test featured Rohit. The Indian skipper was spotted taking a DRS review while lying down on the ground. Ravichandran Ashwin hit Ben Duckett on the back leg with a flip in the 35th over of England’s first innings.
After the lbw appeal was denied, Rohit, who was down on the floor attempting to collect the ball at first slip, signaled for the DRS without moving from his position.
Social media users found Rohit’s request for a review amusing. India’s review, however, was denied since replays revealed that the ball was pitched outside the leg stump.
5. Rohit Sharma’s comical reaction to Sarfaraz and Jaiswal’s premature walk-off
The most amusing and weird occurrence involving Rohit in Rajkot came on Day 4, when he motioned to Sarfaraz and Jaiswal to return and continue batting as they approached the dressing room, believing the skipper had declared the innings.
The humorous occurrence occurred during the second session of play, when India were 412/4 after 97 overs. The drink break occurred at the end of the over. Both hitters began going towards the pavilion, expecting that the innings had been declared. Rohit, on the other hand, urged them to continue batting with an angry gesture from the dressing room.
Surprisingly, a handful of England players raced to the locker room during the pandemonium and had to return to the pitch. England captain Ben Stokes was similarly perplexed by what was occurring. India declared their innings at 430/4 after 98 overs.