On Day 3 of the ongoing 4th Border-Gavaskar Trophy match, Indian captain Rohit Sharma and his opening partner Shubman Gill resumed their batting innings. Australia had set a massive total of 480 runs in the first innings, and India needed a strong start to stay in the game. The opening pair provided that for India.
The two added 36 runs at the end of Day 2 and continued playing well on Day 3. Taking the advantage of the flat track in Ahmedabad, bot started hitting a few boundaries. However, one shot from Rohit’s bat caught everyone’s attention.
On the last ball of the 15th over, Mitchell Starc bowled a short ball directed to the Indian skipper’s body. Rohit, always very quick to adapt to short balls, was on point with his pull shot and made no mistakes to clear the fence. A video of his iconic pull shot has been doing rounds on the internet.
Here is Rohit Sharma’s excellent shot
Rohit Sharma amd pull shots match made in heaven ?pic.twitter.com/R5wjKLKUID
— OLDMONK. (@Itsmonk_45) March 11, 2023
The 35-year-old, however, did not last long and lost his wicket soon after. Matthew Kuhnemann dismissed him in the 21st over. The ball dropped short and just outside off, and Rohit was preparing for a back-foot punch when it seemed to stop on him. He ended up playing the shot and finding Labuschagne at short cover point.
As for the game, Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green were at the top of their game as each reached their century. While Khawaja scored 180 runs, the all-rounder (114 runs) hit his maiden hundred in Test cricket. The Kangaroos batted for nearly two days and scored 480 runs in the first innings.
For India, Ravichandran Ashwin, with his spell of six wickets, was the only saving grace with the ball. Having gotten off to a good start, India will now look to capitalize and add some runs on the board. A win in this match will book India’s spot in the Test Championship final.
