Twitter Reactions: Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal park their yacht safely on Day 1 in the port city

There wasn’t much joy for South Africa in the first day of their opening Test versus India in Visakhapatnam. They couldn’t pick up a single wicket as the hosts ended on 202 for the loss of no wicket in 59.1 overs before the heavens opened up around 2 PM local time. Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal showed their class and kept the Proteas’ bowlers guessing throughout.

Rohit starts off on a positive note

Rohit was faced with a challenge as a Test opener after India won the toss and elected to bat first. He was opening the batting for the first time in the format and he had Mayank for company. Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander had the new ball and hence, it wasn’t expected to be easy for the 32-year-old. He was steady to start with and even though, played and missed, didn’t lose his wicket.

In the first session, he got to his fifty off 84 balls, taking India into Lunch with the score at 91 for no loss in 30 overs. In the second session, it was the turn of Agarwal to rack up his half-century off 114 balls. The Proteas fielded three spinners- Keshav Maharaj, Dane Piedt and Senuran Muthusamy, who made his international debut. But all three were neutralized by the composed openers.

Rohit and Agarwal end India’s day unscathed

In the second session, Rohit pressed the accelerator and got to his fourth Test ton and his first as an opener in the format. He went into the 90s with two sixes of Piedt and didn’t get nervous as he got closer to the milestone. Rohit brought up his ton in 154 balls. By the end of the day, he stayed unbeaten on 115 off 174 balls with 12 fours and five sixes. He went from strength to strength.

Agarwal didn’t throw his wicket away either, remaining not out on 84 off 183 balls with 11 fours and a couple of sixes. Midway through the post-Lunch session, the rain arrived and play was called off at around 3:30 PM local time. The Proteas would’ve wished for the break since they were going nowhere. The visitors will now be looking to make some inroads and get back into the game.

Here is how Twitter praised India

Real G.O.A.T 🕺💪 pic.twitter.com/YyjOxMgRe0

— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) October 2, 2019

South Africa will be happy with their final session today. #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/QUBODnNf3R

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) October 2, 2019

Cricket in India @StarSportsIndia pic.twitter.com/okTz6Cy45T

— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49) October 2, 2019

In his new avatar, Rohit is doing what he does best, score big runs. Even the rain Gods were waiting it seems #INDvSA

— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) October 2, 2019

The format of the game just doesn't matter. Scoring centuries has become like a habit for you @ImRo45 🏏#INDvSA

— surya77 (@surya_14kumar) October 2, 2019

Gotta think outside the box here

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) October 2, 2019

What a player always treat to watch take a bow Mr sharma 💯👏👏👏👏🇮🇳😊💪 @ImRo45 #IndVsSA #testchampionship

— Rahul Sharma (@ImRahulSharma3) October 2, 2019

Wah @ImRo45 Brilliant 100.. dress blue ho ya white koi fark nahi padta.. Rohit HiT hai bhai 🏏 @BCCI @StarSportsIndia #INDvSA

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 2, 2019

4th Test Century. 1st as an opener. Rohit has grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Well played ☺️👏 #IndvSA

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 2, 2019

This is real cricket – this is where you measure yourself… let's see how @OfficialCSA measure up? Your thoughts?

— Alviro Petersen (@AlviroPetersen) October 2, 2019

Looking like a long day in the dirt for the proteas #SAvIND

— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49) October 2, 2019

India need a test opener, selectors were scared Rohit Sharma could not do it. He's arrived, let's hope he's here to stay. Cement that spot! #INDvSA #cricket

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) October 2, 2019