Persistent rain in Vizag forced the officials to call early stumps on Day 1 after Rohit Sharma made a dream start as a Test opener, scoring an unbeaten 115 off 174 balls to take India to a commanding 202 for no loss at tea on Wednesday. South African bowlers did trouble the Indian batsmen on a few occasions in the first session, they seemed toothless in the afternoon session where Rohit and Mayank Agarwal (84 not out off 183) scored at a brisk rate. Rohit, who got to his fifty before lunch, shifted gears and was particularly harsh on the spinners. He hammered off-spinner Danie Piedt for successive sixes over deep midwicket to get into the nineties before completing his fourth Test ton with a single off debutant spinner Senuran Muthusamy. The entire dressing room including skipper Virat Kohli stood up to laud Rohit's feat. (Scorecard)
Highlights Between India vs South Africa 1st Test Match Day 1, Straight from Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Vizag
Persistent rain on Day 1 has forced the officials to call stumps early. Only two sessions were possible and India are on top in the match at 202 for no loss.
Rohit Sharma is now toying with South African fielders. He founds the gap in front of cover this time as he gets the second boundary off Vernon Philander's over.
46 overs have been bowled and India are 139 for no loss. Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal have crossed the 50-run mark and are now looking to consolidate on the good start against South Africa.
Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal are out in the centre as the second session is about to get under way. Keshav Maharaj to start the proceedings post Lunch.
End of the first session on Day 1 and Rohit Sharma is unbeaten on 52 in his first outing as Test opener. India are 91 for no loss after 30 overs. We will be back with the second session in a while.
That's Lunch on Day 1 of the 1st Test. #TeamIndia 91/0 (Rohit 52*, Mayank 39*)
Rohit Sharma finds the gap once again through the off side. It was short from Keshav Maharaj and Rohit guided it towards the point region for a boundary.
Rohit Sharma comes down the track and smashes Keshav Maharaj straight down the ground for a huge six over long on. 50 run stand between is also up between Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal.