Ind vs SA, 1st Test, Day 1: Rohit Sharma stands tall with century

South Africa's tour of India in 2019 began with a washed-out T20I in Dharamshala. The three-match T20I series, however, ended in a draw with both teams winning a game each. Earlier on Wednesday, the two heavyweights resumed their Test rivalry from where they left off in 2018. The series is also the third edition of ‘Freedom Trophy’ between two nations which also coincides with the ongoing ICC World Test Championship. The ongoing first Test is being played at the Dr Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. 

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Ind vs SA First Test, Day 1 highlights

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At stumps on Day 1, the Indian team find themselves comfortably poised at 202-0. Almost 31 overs were lost in the day due to continuous rains on a batting-friendly VDCA pitch, the Indian think-tank tried a new opening combo in the form of Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal. The two batsmen free-flowingly scored runs at a healthy clip of 3.41 per over. Five South African bowlers were used over the course of their 59 overs today. Keshav Maharaj did most of the visitors' bowling as the left-arm spinner went onto bowl 23 overs throughout the day.

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Limited-overs specialist Rohit Sharma smashed the fourth Test hundred of his career and his first in almost two years. The stylish right-hander is unbeaten at 115 off 174 balls with 12 boundaries and five sixes. His partner Mayank Agarwal will also be looking to reach the three-figure mark when the play resumes on Thursday morning. Mayank ended Day 1 at 84* off 183 balls. A total of seven sixes were hit in the day by both batsmen. The two Indian batsmen went into lunch at 91-0 in 30 overs before bad light called out an early tea break for the two teams. No further play was possible beyond Tea as the rains played spoil-sport on a perfect start for the home side. Due to the loss of 31 overs today, Day 2 will commence early tomorrow with a 9:20 AM local start.

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