Legendary Anil Kumble has showered praise on Indian captain Rohit Sharma for fighting out the tough phase against Mark Wood. The England gun fast bowler tested Rohit with short-pitch bowling but could not ruffle the feathers. Wood had his tail up after dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill.

Wood also hit Rohit on the helmet but the Indian opener kept his focus intact. Furthermore, Rohit was troubled by the incoming deliveries from England veteran pacer James Anderson.

“He was stepping out and looking to go over the top. He did everything right, he rode the tough phase against Mark Wood. England had set a plan for Mark Wood with three fielders on the ropes so obviously Rohit did not take the bait of going for the hook. So he had to ride that over off and there was one ball that was really steep and hit him on the helmet,” said Kumble on Sports18.

Rohit was also dropped on 27 by former England skipper Joe Root at first slip when he tried to play a big shot against Tom Hartley but could manage a tiny outside edge. Rohit made most of his luck and went on to score his 11th Test century.

“But he was brilliant with handling all the bowlers. Even the spinners, I thought he did really well. He made that mistake of going across but immediately corrected that in the next over when he stepped out and hit Hartley over his head. He has read the surface well, he’s read the balls well and understands what the bowlers are doing,” Kumble added.

India found themselves in all kind of trouble at 33-3 after electing to bat first. However, Ravindra Jadeja and Rohit Sharma have added a fine alliance to help the hosts bounce back. India is currently 214-3 and both Rohit and Jadeja will look to continue the good show.