Rohit Sharma once again proved why he is India's best opener as he brought up his maiden century as the opener for India against South Africa in Vishakapatnam on Wednesday. Rohit Sharma silenced critics who had earlier questioned the Hit Man's place in the Test squad after he had departed for a duck in the preparatory game. Rohit Sharma scored his fourth Test ton in 154 balls while he was supported by fellow opener Mayank Agarwal on the other side. All eyes were on Rohit Sharma as the Test series commenced and expectations were adequately met as Rohit Sharma repaid skipper Virat Kohli's belief in him as an opener in the longer format of the game. As Rohit Sharma brought up his ton on his opening debut, Twitterati erupted with joy, celebrating the arrival of the Hit Man in the longer format of the game as a solid opener for India. 

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Netizens hail Hit Man

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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. 

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'Play straight and compact': Wasim Jaffer 

Being a former Test batsman and opener himself, Wasim Jaffer knew the tricks of the game and believes that patience will be the key for Rohit Sharma, as he told to a media source. Throwing his weight behind Rohit Sharma, Wasim Jaffer pointed out that The Hit Man should settle in the game with the mentality that he has already conquered the same bowlers in the limited over formats of the game and hence should not be intimidated by them. Further, Wasim Jaffer said that it was the tendency of the Test bowlers to pitch the ball up, make the batsman play expansive shots and set an imposing field for the batsman but Rohit Sharma's best way out was to go by the book and play straight and compact shots. Adding more insights to his advice, Wasim Jaffer also spoke about Rohit Sharma's defence techniques, mental attitude and strokeplay, adding details about how Rohit Sharma can improvise on the technique and settle as an opener. Wasim Jaffer also took to reveal a 'piece of advice' given to him by Sunil Gavaskar that he now wished to pass on to Rohit Sharma. Sunil Gavaskar had told Wasim Jaffer that the bowler must be given his time and opportunity and hence if one hour was given to him then the next five hours were for the batsman. 

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