India captain Rohit Sharma couldn't contain his emotions when debutant Sarfaraz Khan got run out attempting to run for his partner Ravindra Jadeja's call on the opening day of the third Test.
The 36-year-old was visibly upset and disappointed, tossing his cap away in frustration as Sarfaraz walked back for 62 off 66. For context, on the fifth delivery of the 82nd over, Sarfaraz responded to a call from Jadeja, who seemed interested in taking a single that would have brought him to a hundred.
However, when Jadeja later realised it was a tight run, he said no, a bit too late for Sarfaraz to return to the crease. It was a direct hit at the non-striking end from Mark Wood, leaving no chance whatsoever for Sarfaraz to make it within the mark on time.
With Sarfaraz's fluent innings coming to an anticlimactic end, Rohit's disheartened reaction has become viral.
Rohit and Jadeja smashed defiant centuries to lift India out of the doldrums, reaching a comfortable 326 for five,
India were struggling at 33-3 within the first hour after Mark Wood showcased the value of extra pace on a docile track at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium. Rohit and Jadeja rebuilt the innings with a 204-run partnership, bringing the hosts back into the contest.
Jadeja was batting on 110 at stumps, achieving his fourth Test hundred, with nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav at one on the other end. Rohit's stellar 131 contained three sixes, 14 fours, and plenty of drama. The opener endured a blow to his helmet, was dropped in the slip, and successfully had an lbw decision against him overturned en route to his 11th Test hundred innings.
With the five-match series poised at 1-1, Rohit's decision to bat on a flat surface was hardly surprising, but Wood tormented the batters with his express speed.
The fast bowler had Yashasvi Jaiswal (10) caught in the slip in his second over, and Shubman Gill fell caught behind for a duck in Wood's next. England captain Ben Stokes, playing his 100th Test, introduced spin in the ninth over and was immediately rewarded as Tom Hartley dismissed Rajat Patidar for five.
Wood continued to bowl with relentless hostility at the other end, hitting Rohit on his helmet grille on one occasion. The opener got a reprieve on 27 when he edged Hartley, and Joe Root spilled the catch at slip. Rohit was initially adjudged lbw to James Anderson, but the decision was reversed after replays confirmed the ball had hit the bat first.
Rohit and Jadeja denied England a breakthrough in the second session, dragging India back into the contest. Rohit took 157 balls to bring up his hundred, and the subdued celebration indicated his determination to carry on.
- Rohit Sharma