Team India captain Rohit Sharma is gearing up for to feature in his maiden Test match against England in Visakhapatnam. It will be a special occasion for Rohit, who in his last Test appearance in Visakhapatnam, broke numerous records and solidified his place in the Indian Test side. In his last Test match at the venue, Rohit Sharma registered back-to-back centuries in the two innings. As the 'Hitman' gears up for a 'unique debut' against England in Visakhapatnam, let's revisit his stupendous performance.
Rohit Sharma's record-breaking outing in Visakhapatnam against South Africa
The strategic move to promote Rohit Sharma as an opener in Test cricket yielded immediate success during India's 2019 series against South Africa. In the Visakhapatnam Test, Rohit, opening the innings with Mayank Agarwal, played a pivotal role in setting a strong foundation for the team. The duo put up an outstanding 317-run partnership, showcasing their dominance over the South African bowling attack.
Rohit's debut as an opener was nothing short of spectacular. He played an impressive innings, scoring 176 runs off 244 deliveries, which included 23 boundaries and six sixes. His performance was a blend of patience and aggression, setting the tone for India's formidable batting display.
Following Rohit's dismissal, Agarwal continued the momentum, scoring a remarkable 215 runs. India declared their innings at a massive total of 502/7. The South African team, in response, managed to score 431, thanks to centuries from Dean Elgar and Quinton de Kock.
Rohit Sharma's sizzling century rolls out India's path to dominant win
In the second innings, Rohit adopted an even more aggressive approach. He forged a 169-run partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara and scored 127 runs off 149 balls, including 10 fours and seven sixes. His attacking play contributed significantly to India setting a daunting target of 395 runs for South Africa.
Rohit Sharma's performance in this match was record-breaking. He became the first player to score two centuries on his Test opening debut. Additionally, he surpassed Wasim Akram's record for the most sixes hit in a single Test match by smashing 13 sixes. This feat not only highlighted Rohit's prowess as a batter but also underscored his ability to adapt to different roles and formats in cricket.
The match concluded with South Africa being bowled out for 191, handing India a resounding victory by 203 runs. Rohit's outstanding performance in both innings played a crucial role in this emphatic win, solidifying his position as a versatile and powerful batter in international cricket. This match served as a testament to Rohit Sharma's exceptional talent and his ability to make significant contributions in various formats of the game.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
IND vs ENG: Rohit Sharma returns to the ground where he broke records on opening debut in Test cricket
India vs England: One of England's greatest batters takes huge swipe at Rohit Sharma, says ‘he is past his best and makes...’
