Indian opener Rohit Sharma struck a scintillating half century, his 22nd in the format, as the hosts came racing off the blocks in the fifth and final Twenty20 International against England on Saturday. 

The ‘Hitman’ scored 64 runs from 34 deliveries and forged a 94-run stand with skipper Virat Kohli as India emphatically ended their opening woes after dropping out-of-form KL Rahul from the side. Rohit struck four four and five towering sixes in his knock. 

His innings was glittered with his trademark pull shot as he anticipated the short ball and picked up the length early time and again to send the ball sailing over helpless fielders, as well as elegant cuts and drives to find the gaps all across the wagon wheel. 

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His innings set the stage for India to put up a formidable total in search for a statement win in the series decided, with the hosts recording their best start in the series, scoring 110 runs from 10 overs.   

England, who have named an unchanged side from the one that lost on Thursday, won the toss and elected to bowl first as expected with the dew factor expected to make defending a challenging ask. 

India made just the one change, replacing Rahul with pacer T Natarajan.