IND vs ENG, 5th Test: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill Tons Propel India to Commanding Position

Dharamsala: India took firm control of the fifth and final Test against England, ending day two at 473 for eight after splendid centuries from skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. Despite a late batting collapse, where India lost five wickets for 97 runs in the final session, they maintained a strong position.

Rohit Sharma scored 103 off 162 balls, while Shubman Gill contributed 110 off 150 balls, building a commanding 171-run partnership for the second wicket. Debutant Devdutt Padikkal showcased his class with a confident 65 off 103 balls, but Sarfaraz Khan’s dismissal for 56 off 60 balls was a disappointment.

India led by 255 runs at stumps, with the pitch favouring batting conditions. Although England’s bowlers struggled initially, off-spinner Shoaib Bashir and left-arm spinner Tom Hartley made a strong comeback in the final session, taking crucial wickets.

Despite a slower scoring rate in the final session, India maintained a healthy run rate until tea, scoring close to 4.5 runs per over. However, the combination of disciplined bowling and reckless batting allowed England to stay in the game.

Notably, Ben Stokes, returning from injury, made an impact by dismissing Rohit Sharma and providing a breakthrough for England. However, Padikkal’s elegant off-side play and Sarfaraz Khan’s aggressive approach against pace added valuable runs for India.

India’s commanding performance on day two puts them in a strong position to dictate terms in the remainder of the Test match, with England facing an uphill task to claw back into contention.