Indian opener Rohit Sharma has had a dream comeback to the red ball version. The right-hander was backed by the team management to open the innings and he was able to grab the opportunity with both hands. Meanwhile, Sharma scored a fine knock of 176 runs in the first innings and backed it up with another century in the second dig.
The flamboyant batsman took only balls to bring up his fifth century in the red ball version. In fact, the stylish batsman had scored 23 fours and six sixes in the first innings. Furthermore, he has thus far scored nine fours and four sixes in the second essay.
Rohit Sharma is on fire.
In fact, the right-hander looked at ease in the Indian conditions and he has been milking up the runs. Sharma was given a chance to open the innings after KL Rahul was not able to deliver the goods for the team.
On the other hand, Rohit Sharma also became the first batsman to score seven consecutive fifties while playing in the Indian conditions.
Meanwhile, the talismanic right-hander has batted at the top of his game and he would like to carry his form. India is once again in a dominating position as they currently lead by 275 runs.
India is in command.
Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara who had an ordinary first innings was able to get going in the second innings. Pujara scored a fine knock of 81 runs from 148 balls with the help of 13 fours and two sixes. The right-hander was plumbed in front by Vernon Philander.
Mayank Agarwal who scored a double century in the first innings could not hit the ground running in the second innings. However, the right-hander was dismissed after only scoring seven runs in the second dig.
Consequently, India has put their noses in front and they are in a position where they can dictate the terms to the Proteas.
Here is how Twitter reacted to Rohit Sharma’s century:
Rohit Sharma averaging 276* as Test opener… who knew?! #IndvSA
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) October 5, 2019
Rohit Sharma is the first batsman in history of Test cricket to score 2 centuries in when opening for the first time. #INDvSA
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) October 5, 2019
5th Test ? for Rohit Sharma,
2nd as a Opener,
2nd vs South Africa,
5th in ??,
3rd under Virat Kohli,
36th in International cricket,
22nd in First Class,
8th in 2019 (International Cricket) #INDvSA #INDvsSA— Akhil Gupta ? (@Guptastats92) October 5, 2019
5th Test hundred for Rohit, second as an Indian opener. What a bloke. Hope he continues his exceptional run at the top of the order across all formats. #INDvsSA
— ?????? ????? (@GautamSodhi1) October 5, 2019
A special test match for Rohit Sharma. Class and elegance and two centuries. Not a bad way to begin a new chapter in a career!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 5, 2019
Centuries in each innings (while opening for the first time)
It's one thing missing from even Sachin Tendulkar's resume.
Say what you will about Rohit Sharma (and most do), you can't deny he's proved right all those who said: "He's too good to be sitting on the bench." #INDvSA
— Saurabh Somani (@saurabh_42) October 5, 2019
Rohit Sharma – an open and shut case #INDvSA
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) October 5, 2019
ROHIT …… ??????
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 5, 2019
Take a bow?♀️@ImRo45 Eventually you are, where you belong to ! ??
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) October 5, 2019
"Rohit Sharma cannot open in Tests, He's not suitable for red ball, new ball, etc"
Rohit Sharma: pic.twitter.com/5whoHEv84M
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) October 5, 2019
Century in each inning in his first Test as opening batsman by Rohit Sharma. How fantastic is that! ??@ImRo45
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) October 5, 2019