Rohit Sharma brought up his century to help India to 202/0 and win session two on day one of the 1st Test against South Africa, writes Khalid Mohidin.
The Proteas toiled in the India heat desperately searching for a way to break Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal’s dominant partnership.
Agarwal’s double-step drive and pull shout against Dane Piedt in the 48th over showed how comfortable India were at the crease and stood out as one of the top moments of the session.
READ: SESSION MOMENTS: VIRAT KOHLI OPTS TO BAT, ROHIT BRINGS UP FIFTY
Faf du Plessis kept changing his bowlers desperate for wickets and India continued to cruise to 150/0 after 48 overs.
Rohit then produced two massive straight sixes off Piedt in the 50th over to take India to 163/0. A clear indication that they targeted the off-spinner.
The ultimate moment, however, was Sharma bringing up his fourth century and in his first as a Test opening batsman in the longest format.
He continued his fine display and pulled Maharaj for six in the 57th over.
Rohit finished the session with 115 off 174 balls.
India (1st innings): 202/0 – Rohit Sharma (115); Mayank Agarwal (84); Vernon Philander (0/34), Senuran Muthusamy (0/23)
Teams:
South Africa: 1 Aiden Markram, 2 Dean Elgar, 3 Theunis de Bruyn, 4 Faf du Plessis (capt.), 5 Temba Bavuma, 6 Quinton de Kock (wk), 7 Vernon Philander, 8 Senuran Muthusamy, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Dane Piedt
India: 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Mayank Agarwal, 3 Cheteshwar Pujara, 4 Virat Kohli (capt.), Ajinkya Rahane, 6 Hanuma Vihari, 7 Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 8 R Ashwin, 9 Ravindra Jadeja, 10 Ishant Sharma, 11 Mohammed Shami
Photo: EPA/Julian Smith
