‘He was happy to stay restrained’ – Anil Kumble praises Rohit Sharma for overcoming lean patch with gritty ton in Dominica

Rohit Sharma vs WI. (Pic source: RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

The first Test of the ongoing multi-format series between the West Indies and India got off to a very positive start for the Indian team. After bundling the West Indies out for just 150 runs in the first innings, India put forth a magnificent display with the bat.

Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma scored centuries and wreaked havoc on the Windies’ bowling lineup. After Rohit’s century, many experts were of the opinion that the century from the Indian skipper was a long time coming and he needed to score big more than anyone.

It is worth noting that Rohit had been in the worst of lean patches as he failed to score big across the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 and even failed to make an impact in the final of the World Test Championship as well. The 36-year-old took center stage against the West Indies and scored 103 runs in 221 deliveries to provide his side with a blistering start.

Seeing Sharma’s magnificent knock, former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble was all praise for the Indian skipper. The 52-year-old opined that despite the pitch being slow, Rohit had the patience and temperament to complete his century.

“You saw from Ball 1, the moment he stepped out, he knew he had to play a different kind of an innings, it was not the kind of pitch where the ball was coming onto the bat. Rohit likes the pace, even when the fast bowlers bowled those short deliveries, it was not coming on. He was happy to stay restrained, and then, yes, on a couple of occasions, he took on the bowlers and hit them over the top,” Kumble told JioCinema.

Furthermore, Kumble also stated how the ton was much needed for Rohit and it was only a matter of time before he scored one, as he looked to be in the flow at the IPL, the WTC final as well, but could never get going.

“Yes, wonderful innings, much-needed for Rohit because it was not that he was out of form. Even in the WTC, he was looking really good, Yes, he got out, but he was looking good. Even in the IPL, he was looking good every time he went out there. You could make out that when someone is not in form, and he was never like that. I am glad that he could put his head down and get the hundred,” Kumble said.