South Africa were reminiscing the last tough tour of India even as they headed into the first Test in Vizag. It came as no shock, therefore, that South Africa seemed to play like visitors, sedate and still coming to terms late into the second day. While India’s openers stories is a much needed breath of fresh air, the bugle sounds caution for the future.
There was as much speculation about Rohit Sharma’s place in the team and his new role as India’s Test opener as there was about Rishabh Pant’s viability as India’s wicketkeeper in the near future. To that end, India found at least one answer, albeit for the moment.
Rohit Sharma’s near double century and Mayank Agarwal’s maiden double century ensured India ground South Africa, reminding them of how hard this tour of the Indian dust bowl was going to be. For some of South Africa’s bowlers, such as spinner Senuran Muthusamy, it was a tough initiation. For others, it was a timely reminder of the last tour that went India’s way, arguably with some dubious pitches to contend with.
Despite South Africa’s studious mind set, India still had to exploit the advantage of winning the toss.
To the openers’ credit, the duo not only put on a mammoth opening wicket partnership, but also, blunted the South Africa’s hope of making amends for the last tour. Although it is still early days on the tour, the first two days have fielded a monumental task already for the weary, sweaty visitors, having spent considerable time under the sun and in extremely humid weather.
While Rohit Sharma has made good on the opportunity fallen upon him fortuitously after KL Rahul’s underwhelming recent performances. Yet despite the terrific effort that has yielded a huge, early advantage for the hosts, this is only the beginning of Rohit’s stint as an opener.
While playing at home may have its advantages, India will still be wise to keep an eye on grooming a youngster for the opening role on more aggressive, fiery foreign pitches when India tour. It is still the long term perspective if India are to lay the platform for continued world dominance in the Test arena.
While Rohit Sharma could indeed carve a longer Test career with this unexpected, bonus opportunity, the litmus test awaits beyond the Indian sub-continent. While Mayank Agarwal is slightly older than Rohit in the role of the opener and this first performance off the blocks have been phenomenal as it has dominated the proceedings, India would still want to pay close attention to the bench strength, given the pivotal role that the opener’s presents.