NEW DELHI: On a wicket where Australian batters collapsed like a pack of cards, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma batted with an utmost ease to remain unbeaten on 56 at the close of first day’s play of the first Test in Nagpur on Thursday.
In reply to Australia’s meagre 177 in the first innings, Rohit began by smashing three fours off Pat Cummins in the first over and led the Indian innings from the front.
Rohit’s unbeaten knock helped him register an astonishing average of 74.7 at home in Test cricket (minimum 30 innings) which is only behind Aussie legend Don Bradman.

Bradman had an average of 98.2 in home conditions whereas Marnus Labuschagne scored his runs at an average of 70.5 when it came to the qualification of minimum 30 innings.
Rohit also has an outstanding record as Test opener as he scored 1027 runs so far in 25 Test innings since 2021 at an average of 46.68.
On the match front, Ravindra Jadeja took a five-wicket haul on his return and fellow spinner Ravichandran Ashwin claimed three wickets to bowl out Australia for 177 in the final session on a turning wicket.
India were 77 for one at stumps as they still trail Australia by 100 runs.