Watch: Chepauk crowd erupts with 'India cha raja Rohit Sharma' chants as Indian captain takes field

Rohit Sharma’s immense popularity among the cricket fans was once again on display in the ongoing opening Test of the two-match Test series between India and Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on September 19.

As the Indian cricket team captain walked out to open the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, the crowd at the MA Chidambaram Stadium welcomed Rohit Sharma with enthusiastic chants on Day 1 of the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh, who had a really great start to their tough tour.

The atmosphere came alive with passionate fans cheering for the Indian captain, with roars of "India cha raja Rohit Sharma" and "Mumbai cha raja Rohit Sharma" echoing across the stadium. It was the proof of Rohit’s widespread fan following, both as a beloved figure in Indian cricket and as a local hero in Mumbai, which the senior opener represents in the IPL.

Watch here how fans shower love on Rohit Sharma in Chennai:

Huge roar "India cha Raja Rohit Sharma" chants for captain Rohit Sharma at Chepauk.🥵🔥

Unreal craze for captain @ImRo45🐐🥶 pic.twitter.com/x1PKb4LkYl

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) September 19, 2024

However, Rohit, known for his composure and leadership, remained focused on the task at hand, but the outpouring of support from the crowd highlighted the deep connection between the Indian captain and his loyal fan base. However, the Indian opener had a really forgettable outing in Chennai.

Earlier, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto opted to bowl first after winning the toss, putting India on the back foot early in the match. Rohit and Yashasvi started cautiously, putting up 14 runs in the opening five overs without losing a wicket.

However, Hasan Mahmud made a breakthrough at the start of the sixth over, removing the Indian captain with a sharp delivery that caught him off guard. The ball found the edge of Sharma’s bat and was superbly caught by Shanto at second slip. Sharma managed just six runs from 19 balls.

Shubman Gill, coming in at No. 3, failed to make an impact and was dismissed for a duck after being caught down by the wicketkeeper, Litton Das, leg side off Mahmud’s bowling. Virat Kohli also found it difficult to settle, contributing just six runs before Mahmud struck again, making him his third victim.

Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin join hands to rescue India from embarrassment

By the end of the first 10 overs, India was in trouble at 34/3. Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant then took charge, putting together a crucial unbeaten 54-run standoff 83 balls to stabilize India’s innings in the ongoing first Test at the Chepauk Stadium.

By lunch on Day 1, India had recovered slightly, reaching 88/3 after 23 overs, but after the break, Mahmud continued to trouble the Indian batting lineup, eventually claiming the important wicket of Pant (39), who edged one to the wicketkeeper Das. Later, Nahid Rana removed Yashasvi for 56, while KL Rahul fell to Mehidy Hasan Miraz for just 16 to sink India’s hopes.

However, Ravindra Jadeja (34) and Ravichandran Ashwin (50*) managed to take Team India over the 230-run mark to shift the pressure to Bangladesh on the third session of the ongoing Chennai Test.