England have now lost six of seven matches on this tour – one that was supposed to mark the start of a new era under McCullum and an upturn in results.
Their batting was improved on the 4-1 T20 series defeat and 248 all out on Thursday, but as a tendency to collapse was overcome, another issue – a failure to capitalise on starts – reared its head.
The fact no batter progressed to three figures cost them. England’s total was made to look well below par when batting became easier under the lights.
India’s spinners went at less than a run per ball while England’s quicks – Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Saqib Mahmood and Mark Wood all selected, with Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse rested – were punished as they hammered the middle of the pitch.
Rohit timed anything full and flogged anything short. A six over mid-wicket off Atkinson hinted at the 37-year-old’s return to form. Two more inside the first six overs confirmed it.
He was fortunate to survive an lbw shout on 36 – England reviewed but the ball was only clipping the top of leg stump – but put on 136 for the first wicket with Shubman Gill and raced to his first hundred in 28 innings in 76 balls after Gill was bowled by an Overton yorker for 60.
After Rohit fell, Shreyas Iyer was run out for 44, KL Rahul bounced out by Overton and Hardik Pandya caught pulling to deep square leg.
It was the second match in a row India made harder work of a chase than expected but through Rohit the damage had been done.
The fact he barely celebrated his century suggested a feeling of relief his poor run was over.
