Rohit Sharma could have not asked for a better outing with the bat in his new role as Test opener as he brought up a magnificent century and helped India take a commanding position on Day 1 of the Visakapatnam Test against South Africa. Sharma, unbeaten on 115 and his opening partner Mayank Agarwal (84) were at the crease when bad light did not allow any further play post Tea session.

The right handed batsman took his time to see off the opening spell by South African seamers Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander and then stepped up the ante by scoring freely against the  Proteas spin trio.

On course to his 4th Test match ton, the 'Hitman' equaled Rahul Dravid's  herculean feat with the willow, by scoring his sixth consecutive 50-plus score  on home soil. Rahul Dravid had registered 6 scores of 50 or more in Test cricket during the 1997-1998 season. Rohit became the fourth batsman in Test cricket after Everton Weekes, Andy Flower, and  Rahul Dravid to achieve the feat in Home Tests.

Though it was Rohit's first hundred as an opener in Test cricket, it was his fourth overall in the longest format of the game and first since November 2016.

Rohit who has established himself as one of the best limited overs openers has not been a regular member in the Indian Test side for a while now and has been roped in as a replacement for KL Rahul in the ongoing series, which can prove to be a litmus test for him.

India are scheduled to play South Africa in 3-match Test series with the first Test underway from October 1 at Visakapatnam. India