Sharma hits century as India take control of Oval test
Rohit Sharma returned with a well deserved ton - AFP
REUTERS, Sept 4: A dominant India took control of the fourth test against England at The Oval on Saturday, extending their lead to 171 at stumps on day three, as Rohit Sharma struck his first test hundred away from home and eighth overall.
The visitors were on 270-3 when bad light brought a premature end to proceedings. Earlier, the England bowlers were made to toil by the combination of Sharma (127) and Cheteshwar Pujara (61), who put on a partnership of 153 for the second wicket, making run-scoring look easy despite seamer-friendly overcast conditions.
Sharma constructed his innings perfectly, resolutely defending outside the off stump and taking runs off anything loose, with Moeen Ali’s off-spin often a target. He found an able partner in Pujara, who played with uncharacteristic aggression, hitting nine boundaries.
England threatened a brief comeback after Ollie Robinson removed both Rohit and Pujara in the first over with the second new ball, but skipper Virat Kohli (22 not out) and Ravindra Jadeja (nine not out) steadied the innings.
Put into bat by the hosts on day one, India were bowled out for 191 in their first innings. England, with Ollie Pope top-scoring with 81, responded with 290 all out.
The five-match Test series is tied at 1-1.
Chief scores
- India 191 all out (61.3) (Virat Kohli 50, Shardul Thakur 57, Chris Woakes 4/55, Ollie Robinson 3/38) and 270 for 3 (92) at stumps (Rohit Sharma 127, KL Rahul 46, Cheteshwar Pujara 61, Ollie Robinson 2/67)
- England 290 all out (84) (Dawid Malan 31, Joe Root 21, Ollie Pope 81, Jonny Bairstow 37, Moeen Ali 35, Chris Woakes 50, Umesh Yadav 3/76, Ravindra Jadeja 2/36, Jasprit Bumrah 2/67)