Watch: Rohit Sharma hit India’s first six in the third Test against England, dancing down the track against Tom Hartley after the bowler had tied him down today (February 15).
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Rohit, who had scored seven runs off Hartley’s previous 25 deliveries to the India opener, decided to break the shackles by dancing down the track against a good-length ball bowled from around the wicket. On the fifth ball of the 33rd over, Rohit stepped out and lofted the ball straight down the ground despite not getting to the pitch of it.
The commentators described why it was such a special hit. “He [Hartley] actually beat Sharma in the air. Such is the skill of the man and the fact that he did not quit on the shot. He really committed to it with that full bat swing.”
Rohit, who had reached his fifty by then, helped rescue India from 33-3 after the hosts won the toss and batted first in Rajkot. He reached the milestone with the help of eight fours.