A resolute Rohit Sharma struck an unbeaten 61 to script India's fightback after a stunning batting collapse as the hosts reached 229 for six at tea on the second day of the first cricket Test against the West Indies, here today.
Batting rock solid on his debut, Sharma conjured up a significant knock and shared two important partnerships with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (42) and R Ashwin (38) to lift his side from a precarious 83 for five at Eden Gardens.
With Dhoni he added 73 for the sixth wicket and another 73 with Ashwin for an unfinished seventh-wicket stand which has now put the hosts within five runs of West Indies first innings total.
If Sachin Tendulkar's unfortunate dismissal broke many a hearts in the morning session, when spinner Shane Shillingdon rocked India's top order with a four-wicket haul, Sharma's knock brought the smiles back in the Indian camp.
Post-lunch, the visitors changed the ball after 51 overs hoping to polish off remaining Indian batsmen. And they tasted success immediately with paceman Tino Best dismissing Dhoni, who played a reckless shot to be caught behind.
However, Sharma found a good ally in Ashwin, who has reputation batting well in the lower-order. While, Sharma had control over his innings, Ashwin looked edgy. Nevertheless the duo repaired the Indian innings well.
Sharma has so far hit eight boundaries while Ashwin sent the ball times to the fence.
The elegant Mumbai batsman was assured of a Test debut on the morning of February 6, 2010 against South Africa but the Mumbai batsman twisted his ankle in a freak collision with Wriddhiman Saha to make way for the Bengal wicketkeeper in the match against South Africa.
Three years and nine months down the line, and after featuring in 108 ODIs, Sharma's time had come as his double century against Australia in Bangalore almost sealed his Test berth.
