Rohit the opener slams ton: Surpasses Kohli, threatens Bradman’s record

Rohit Sharma made a sterling debut as a Test opener and scored 176 runs in the first innings against South Africa at Visakhapatanam.  And during his sensational batting, the Indian batsman broke several records and at one point had even surpassed the great Sir Don Bradman.

Rohit’s Bradamisque average at home 

Rohit Sharma made back to back hundreds during his Test debut against Windies but his form took a beating in overseas Tests. Now with another big hundred, Rohit has proved that he is in sublime touch in home conditions and now his average has climbed to 94.50 in home Tests.  He has scored four hundreds and five fifties in 15 Test innings in India.

This average has taken him ahead of Indian skipper Virat Kohli who averages 64.68 in home Tests while Sir Don Bradman sits at the top with an average of 98.22 in home Tests.

Also it seems that Rohit is unstoppable in Tests played at home as this is his sixth consecutive fifty-plus score at home. After scoring 82 and 51* against New Zealand in 2016, Rohit slammed 102*, 65, and 50* against Sri Lanka in 2017 now he has stretched his purple patch by scoring 176 against South Africa.

Rohit: Fourth Indian to score hundred on Test opening debut

After a disappointing career in the middle order, India made the experiment of playing Rohit Sharma as the opener and it seems that the move has paid dividends.

Rohit became the only fourth Indian opener after Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul and Prithvi Shaw to score a hundred during his debut as a Test opener.

The pair of Mayank Agarwal and Rohit also made a record during their stand of 317 runs for the first wicket. This is now the third-highest opening pair for India in Tests.

This stand of 317 runs by Rohit and Agarwal is also the highest partnership for India vs South Africa Tests.

Rohit: First IND opener to score tons in all formats 

The right-hand batsman meanwhile has become the first Indian opener to score hundreds as an opener in all three formats of the game: Tests, ODIs and T20I.