IND vs SA: 1st Test – Rohit’s record ton sets India for an exciting Day 5
Rohit Sharma’s magnificent 127 allowed India to set a humongous last innings target for South Africa in the first Test at Vizag. Defending 395 runs, India managed to sneak the wicket of Dean Elgar before the close of play. The home team needs nine more wickets on the final day to take 1-0 lead in the three-match series. In course of his 127, Rohit smashed 7 sixes (total 13 sixes in the match) thus claiming the record of hitting most sixes in a Test match. Earlier, South Africa had resumed the day on 385/8.
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Rohit, Pujara run riot
India needed two wickets to wrap up South Africa’s first innings but the tail did not concede easily. Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada held the fort for long and deducted crucial runs from India’s lead. It took 13.2 overs for India to knock them over. R Ashwin dismissed both thus finishing with the figures of 7/145. South Africa ended 71 runs short of India’s first-innings total.
Indian openers began steadily. Double centurion from the first innings, Mayank Agarwal fell in the 8th over. Rohit Sharma maintained pace while Cheteshwar Pujara established himself at the crease. After a lucky reprieve, Pujara also opted to attack and the crowd enjoyed an entertaining phase. Batting on 8 not out from 63 balls, Pujara added 39 runs in next 26 balls.
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Pujara soon caught up with Rohit and both started going after the bowlers. The duo added 169 runs in 46 overs before Pujara was trapped LBW on 81 by Vernon Philander. Ravindra Jadeja walked out next with India hoping to add quick runs. Rohit completed his twin century and unleashed himself with three consecutive sixes off Dane Piedt. After breaking a handful of records, the centurion got out stumped on 127.
The declaration dilemma
With the lead past 300, the declaration was always around the corner. Ravindra Jadeja 40 off 32 balls, Virat Kohli 31 off 25 balls and Ajinkya Rahane 27 off 17 balls contributed to the cause. The declaration finally came at the completion of 67 overs. India by then had scored 323/4 and set South Africa a massive task of chasing 395 runs.
India take Elgar in the fading overs
South Africa once again had to negotiate a difficult period under fading lights against the Indian spinners. The hosts managed to squeeze in nine overs before the umpires decided it was too dark to continue. India did send back Dean Elgar who was the highest scorer for South Africa in the first innings. Jadeja trapped him in front of the stumps but it needed a review to confirm the dismissal.
