This Day That Year: Rohit Sharma brilliant performance as an opener in Test matches

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One of the best batsmen in the limited-overs format, Rohit Sharma got a chance to open the innings and redeem himself during the 1st Test match against South Africa played at Vizag on 6th October 2019.

Indian captain Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to bat first. Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal struggled initially against Philander and Kagiso Rabada. The Indian openers scored 37 in the first hour. Rohit took the attack to South African spinners and kept the scoreboard ticking and completed his fifty off 84 balls. India went into the lunch break at 91 for 0.

After the lunch break, Rohit and Mayank continued to dominate the South African bowlers. Mayank also completed his fifty off 114 balls. It was an aggressive display of batting by Rohit who decimated the South African bowling to complete his century off 154 balls. India went into the tea break in a commanding position at 202 for 0. There was no play possible after the break due to heavy rains.

The second day saw Rohit and Mayank started cautiously before dominating the South African bowling again. Mayank Agarwal completed his century off 204 balls. Rohit showed his class and completed his 150 off 294 balls. He was finally dismissed for a brilliant 176 off 244 balls with 23 fours and 6 sixes. The Indian openers added 317 laying a strong foundation to a huge total. Finally, hosts declared their innings on 502 for 7.

Thanks to a brilliant knock by Dean Elgar 160, Faf du Plessis 55, Quinton de Kock 111 and Muthuswamy 33*, South Africa posted 431. R Ashwin was the pick of the bowlers for India with 7 for 145 on the third morning.

Rohit Sharma continued his positive stroke play again putting the South African bowlers under immense pressure. Rohit completed his fifty off just 72 balls and upped the ante with big strokes. He just took on Piedt and Keshav Maharaj making life easy for others. Cheteshwar Pujara joined in with half-century off 106 balls. India went into the tea break at 175 for 1.

After the tea break, Rohit Sharma completed the 2nd century off 133 balls. It was an amazing knock by Rohit who showed enough class and was finally dismissed for a superb 127 off 149 balls with 19 fours and 7 sixes. His innings helped India declare their innings on 323 for 4. Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja wreaked havoc among the visitors to bowl out South Africa for 191. India won the match by a massive 203 runs margin.

India and South Africa Test series was a part of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship. Virat Kohli led side are currently at the top of the points table.

For his twin centuries, Rohit Sharma was named the man of the match award. Rohit made his Test debut on 6th November 2013. He made a brilliant 177 runs coming in the middle order and helped Team India register an emphatic win. Due to inconsistent performance, the Indian team management gave him a chance to open the innings.  

India 502 for 7 in 136 overs ( Mayank Agarwal 215, Rohit Sharma 176, Maharaj 3/189) and 323 for 4 in 67 overs ( Rohit Sharma 127, Pujara 81, Maharaj 2/129) beat South Africa 431 in 131.2 overs ( Dean Elgar 160, Quinton de Kock 111, R Ashwin 7/145) and 191 in 63.5 overs (Piedt 56, Muthusamy 49*, Elgar 39, Mohammed Shami 5/35, Jadeja 4/87) by 203 runs.



 






Rohit Sharma brilliant performance as an opener in the first Test against South Africa at Vizag last year 

 

 

 

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