Ind vs SA: Rohit Sharma brings up his fifty as India go past 100 runs

India's opener Rohit Sharma brought up his eleventh half-century as India raced past 100 runs after an early collapse of the top- three batsmen on day One of the third Test. Having lost opener Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Virat Kohli early in the first session, Rohit Sharma along with Ajinkya Rahane steadies the innings for India, stitching a crucial partnership en route to India's recovery from Proteas' brutal pace attack. Rohit Sharma's knock featured eight boundaries and a six while Rahane inches closer to his half-century. 

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Rohit Sharma hits 50

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India's top-order rattled by Proteas pace

South Africa's pacers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje wreaked havoc through India's top-order as they grabbed three scalps in the first session of the third Test in Ranchi. Kagiso Rabada picked up the two important scalps of opener Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara while Anrich Nortje managed to trap skipper Virat Kohli for an lbw. All eyes are now on the Hit Man Rohit Sharma, who will look to replicate the knocks of his dream Test debut in the third and final Test. South Africa made five changes to their side after losing the second contest by a mammoth margin to India.

READ | Virat Kohli bursts into laughter as South Africa lose toss yet again

Virat Kohli laughs as Proteas lose toss yet again

Nothing seemed to work out for South Africa as they lost the toss in the third Test even though Temba Bavuma made the call in place of skipper Faf DuPlessis. India's skipper Virat Kohli along with presenter Murali Karthik burst into laughter as soon as the Indian skipper won the toss, making it the ninth consecutive time that Faf DuPlessis has lost the toss in India. Faf DuPlessis had expressed his intentions to send his deputy Temba Bavuma out to call for the toss in his place to break the jinx but even that did not work out for the Proteas skipper. Virat Kohli, who elected to bat first in Ranchi, called it a 'no brainer' to bat first in the third and final Test, as India will hope to complete the whitewash and extend their lead at the top of the Test Championship. 

READ | Ind vs SA: All eyes on Rohit Sharma as hosts lose three early wickets