Watch: Suryakumar looks at Rohit after getting clean bowled, India captain's expression speaks thousand words
After getting clean bowled, Suryakumar looked at his captain Rohit Sharma, who was batting well at the non-striker's end and gestured to suggest the excessive turn. Rohit was mighty disappointed at SKY's dismissal. His expression narrated the entire story.
A lot was expected of Suryakumar Yadav. He was selected ahead of the in-form Shubman Gill for the first Test against Australia in Nagpur mainly due to the absence of Rishabh Pant. India needed someone who could change the match on its head with his attacking batting in the middle-order just like Pant has been doing quite consistently in this format for the last couple of years. SKY, who became the first Indian cricketer to make his international debut in all formats after the age of 30, however, failed to live up to the expectations.
The right-hander came into the crease at a crucial stage of the game on Day 2 of the first Test. India had just lost the huge wicket of Virat Kohli to debutant Todd Murphy in the first ball after Lunch on Friday. The hosts were in desperate need of some quick runs from Suryakumar Yadav.
The No.1-ranked T20I batter, started positively with a booming sweep to get off the mark. But he faltered while trying to drive Nathan Lyon against the turn. The ball pitched just outside the off stump and spun back enough to sneak through the big gap between SKY's bat and pad to rattle into the stumps.
After getting clean bowled, Suryakumar looked at his captain Rohit Sharma, who was batting well at the non-striker's end and gestured to suggest the excessive turn. Rohit was mighty disappointed at SKY's dismissal. His expression narrated the entire story.
Watch Video: Rohit Sharma's expression after Suryakumar Yadav's dismissal on Day 2 of India vs Australia 1st Test
Rohit (120) displayed class and composure of the highest order and in the process became the first Indian captain to have scored a century in all three formats.
While Rohit's ninth Test hundred is worth its weight in gold, Ravindra Jadeja's (66 not out) 18th half-century is also priceless. The all-rounder's knock will be equally important in the context of the game.
Jadeja once again showed his true worth by adding 61 runs for the sixth wicket with Rohit and another 81 runs for the unconquered eighth wicket with Axar Patel (52 batting), who is also playing a fine hand.
It was a battle of attrition for Indian batters, especially Rohit and Jadeja with the home team putting on board 244 runs on the second day.
The opener put his best foot forward against an attack, led by spinners Nathan Lyon (1/98) and Todd Murphy (5/82), who got a five-for on Test debut. India were 321/7 at stumps, enjoying a healthy 144-run lead over Australia.
