For a long time now, Indian cricket has seen a steady rise in the hardcore fan following and increasingly over the years, there have been players featuring the likes of MS Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh who have super fans. Indian skipper Virat Kohli had long joined the long list of Indian players who have an enormous fan following, with many looking up to the skipper as a role model. There have been multiple instances where cricketers have stepped out of their way and have interacted with these super fans. Virat Kohli, who is known to be very affectionate with his fans, had last greeted the 78-year-old superfan during the World Cup and had won hearts from all over. This time the Indian skipper met a fan after the pre-match press conference who had Virat Kohli's jersey tattooed on his body, a sight that left the Indian skipper amused. Virat Kohli hugged the fan and was also seen closely observing the tattoos on the fan's body.  

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Virat Kohli's superfan

Mayank Agarwal and Rohit Sharma put India in the driver seat

India's openers Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal got India off to a flying start as both batsmen went on to register a century and a half-century respectively. Adding a partnership of 200 plus runs, Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal have guided India to a comfortable 202 for no loss at tea on Day one. South Africa's premium spinner Keshav Maharaj took a beating from the openers as he conceded 66 runs in 23 overs while Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander conceded 34 and 35 runs in 11 and 13 overs respectively. India now look poised to finish Day one on a high note, with skipper Virat Kohli yet to come in to bat and would hope to build pressure on the Proteas right from Day two onwards. 

Rohit Sharma silences critics

The stakes were high, the stage was ready and weather perfect -- for someone like Rohit Sharma to come, see, conquer -- and write an essay with the bat that defined his prodigious talent and character. Such was his dominance and poise with the bat that it did not look like he was playing his maiden innings in a Test match as an opener. The defences were tight, shot selections impeccable with exemplary batting flair that matched the highest order.  Much was argued about his technique and temperament in playing Test cricket with the red ball, but the ODI vice-captain has silenced all his critics once for all with masterclass innings as an opener. If Yuvraj Singh and Gautam Gambhir had expressed full confidence in Rohit Sharma as a Test opener there were a few former players who had doubts in their minds.

Former India opener and now UP Sports Minister Chetan Chauhan feels this was a character-defining innings which had come at the right time. "He was under pressure. We all know he is a very talented batsman. But for some reasons was not getting runs in Test. So when he saw this opportunity, he just grabbed with both hands. Though I could not see his innings because of my engagements with UP Assemby but whatever I have learnt showed he meant business. It was indeed a character defining innings," Chauhan told Republic TV on a telephonic conversation from Lucknow.

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