IND vs SA 1st Test: Rohit Sharma scores century; India 202 at stumps

ohit Sharma raises his bat after scoring a century (100 runs) during the first day's play of the first Test match between India and South Africa. Pic/ AFP

Play called off due to rains in the opening Test between India and South Africa here on Wednesday. Going strong at 202 for no loss in 59.1 overs, India were forced to take tea eight minutes before scheduled time after clouds gathered over the stadium towards the end of the second session.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma proved yet again that he is one of the most talented batsmen in the Indian cricket team. Playing as an opener for the first time in Test cricket, Rohit Sharma proved his mettle as a batsman.

At tea break, the opening batsman from Mumbai scored an unbeaten 115 runs off 174 deliveries with 12 boundaries and 5 sixes during his innings. Rohit Sharma's opening partner Mayank Agarwal impressed as well with a brilliant score of an unbeaten 84 off 183 balls. Agarwal hit 11 boundaries and 2 sixes during his innings.

For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada is the pick of the bowlers so far with 35 runs off his 13 overs bowled. The most expensive bowler has been S Muthusamy giving 23 runs in just 5 overs.

At lunch, Rohit Sharma brought up his fifty as India posted a strong 91 runs for no loss against South Africa on Day 1 of the first Test. Mayank Agarwal, who was at the other end, scored 39 runs of 96 balls.

Rohit Sharma scored 52 runs in 84 balls and brought up his 11th Test fifty in the process although not in the manner he may have wanted.

India captain Virat Kohli opted to bat after winning the toss in the first Test against South Africa starting here on Wednesday.

India had named their playing XI on the eve of the match with Rohit Sharma in as an opener and Wriddhiman Saha back behind the stumps in place of Rishabh Pant.

South Africa went into the match with five bowlers including three spinners -- off-spinner Dane Piedt, left-arm spinners Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy.

India: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (capt), Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami

South Africa: Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Theunis de Bruyn, Faf du Plessis (captain), Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wk), Vernon Philander, Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Piedt.

Inputs from PTI

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