Ind vs SL: 5 key takeaways from opening day of 1st Test

Ind vs SL, 1st Test, Day 1: Rohit Sharma falls to pull shot once more

Ind vs SL, 1st Test, Day 1: Rohit Sharma got out playing the pull shot for the umpteenth time in Test cricket

Rohit Sharma and pull shots have been a love-affair for ages. Cricket fraternity and fans alike know Rohit is one of the best players against short-pitched bowling. While it has brought him a truck load of runs, the inability to resist playing the shot, especially in Test cricket, has brought about his downfall on numerous occasions.

This was on full display in the 10th over of the match when Lahiru Kumara, at express pace, targeted Rohit Sharma with a few short-of-length deliveries. The field was set accordingly with two men deep on the leg-side boundary.

Rohit had already helped himself to two boundaries in the over, playing to the front of square. But on the fifth delivery of the over, he went for the pull a third time and ended up hitting it straight to the fine leg fielder. A few meters either side, or slightly more elevation, would have got him another boundary. But he picked out the fielder to perfection.

On a good day 1 pitch, Rohit will look at his innings as a missed opportunity. How he responds to the same tactic in the 2nd innings would be interesting to watch.