[Watch] Highlights of Rohit Sharma's sublime 161 in Chennai Test against England in February 2021
Rohit Sharma-led Team India are all set to take on Bangladesh in a two-match Test series, which starts with the first game at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday, September 19. The series against Bangladesh will be India's first red-ball assignment since the 4-1 win over England in March. As for Bangladesh, they recently created history by beating Pakistan 2-0.
India's previous Test at Chepauk in Chennai was against England in February 2021. Having lost the first Test of the series at the same venue by 227 runs, the hosts made a strong comeback to win the second Test by 317 runs to square the four-match series 1-1.
Batting first after winning the toss, Virat Kohli-led Team India posted 329 in 95.5 overs. Opening the batting, Rohit top-scored with a sublime 161 off 231 balls. The right-handed batter's 327-minute stay at the crease featured 18 fours and two sixes. On a spinning surface, India were three down for 86, but Rohit added 162 for the fourth wicket with Ajinkya Rahane (67) to lift the hosts.
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The fine stand ended when the Indian opener holed out to deep deep square leg off left-arm spinner Jack Leach's bowling. Ravichandran Ashwin then starred with 5-43 as England were bundled out for 134 in 59.5 overs. He also scored 106 in India's second innings as the hosts set England a huge target of 482. The visitors were bowled out for 164 as Axar Patel starred with 5-60 in 21 overs.
Rohit Sharma's record in international cricket at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai
So far Rohit has featured in two Tests at Chepauk, both against England in the 2021 series. The right-handed batter was dismissed for six and 12 in the first Test, which England won by 227 runs on the back of Joe Root's double hundred. He followed up his 161 in the first innings with a handy 26 in the second innings of the second Test at the same venue.
The Hitman has not enjoyed his time in one-dayers at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. In eight matches, he has scored 140 runs at an average of 20, with a best of 36. Looking at his T20I stats at Chepauk, Rohit has featured in two games, scoring eight runs at an average of eight.