11:29 (IST)
After 29 overs,India 91/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 39 , Rohit Sharma 52)
Nerves all around. Debutant Muthusamy bowling shorter earlier in the over. Rohit then looking to dance down again against him, failed to reach the pitch of the ball. Tried a sweep and almost got himself out but was lucky and the ball rolled away for four to backward square lef. Fifty for him and he does not look too satisfied here. Wants a big one.
11:28 (IST)
FOUR and that's 50 for Rohit Sharma. Not the best way to bring it up, half-hearted sweep, took the top edge and flew to square leg fielder who dived but failed to reach the ball, and then it rolled away for four runs. Rohit celebrates it by raising the bat. Very mild celebration, we must mention.
11:24 (IST)
After 28 overs,India 86/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 38 , Rohit Sharma 48)
Rabada continues. Rohit remains on 48, two short of a confidence-boosting fifty. India in strong position and should look to go back with all wickets intact.
11:20 (IST)
After 27 overs,India 84/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 38 , Rohit Sharma 46)
Debutant Senuran Muthusamy, Left arm orthodox, into the attack now. Must be a tad nervous and Rohit adds more to his worries as he hits him for four. Five from his first over in Test cricket.
11:19 (IST)
FOUR! Nicely done by Rohit, flatter trajectory and down the leg stump line, Rohit steps out and uses his wrist to hit it for four to cow corner region
11:15 (IST)
After 26 overs,India 79/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 38 , Rohit Sharma 41)
Expected move from Faf. Rabada back on. He is targetting the same off stump channel. But Mayank who played most of the balls in the over very good in his defensive strokes.
11:11 (IST)
After 25 overs,India 79/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 38 , Rohit Sharma 41)
Piedt changes plan. Comes round the wicket to Rohit but that does not change Rohit's plan. He defends first two balls and then comes down the track to hit one almost out of the park over cow corner region in the field. He is into 40s now.
11:10 (IST)
SIX! BANG! Piedt bowls round the wicket to Rohit, he dances down on third ball of the over and hits it over the cow corner region for a six.
11:09 (IST)
And now Mayank gets into the act with a six off Piedt. Countered that round-the-wicket angle with a big shot and immediately the spinner is forced to revert to his over the wicket angle. Both openers now much more comfortable against spin and it is starting to look like a long day in the field for South Africa.
11:08 (IST)
After 24 overs,India 73/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 38 , Rohit Sharma 35)
Maharaj continues. Bowls a slightly short ball and Rohit cuts him for four runs to deep cover. Straight away Faf puts a fielder there. Changing fielding plan means the bowlers are only trying to adjust length and line.
11:07 (IST)
First six for Rohit Sharma as test opener. It was somewhat expected as soon as spin was introduced, albeit Keshav Maharaj hasn't been easy to handle for the batsmen. Even so, it was only a matter of time. Thing about Rohit is that in home Test cricket, it would be easy to play this kind of shot because the field is open and spin is introduced early in India (9th over today). This strategy will not work overseas, which is actually a problem for Rohit the opener. Whatever he does in the next five Tests, he will be judged against what he can or cannot do over the two Tests in New Zealand or even later on, say in Australia in late 2020.
11:06 (IST)
FOUR! Top class shot from Rohit, arm ball from Maharaj, he rocks back and cuts it for four through point for four runs.
11:05 (IST)
After 23 overs,India 68/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 38 , Rohit Sharma 30)
Piedt continues. Indians putting more pressure on the visitors. They are attacking the spinners and not letting them settle down easily. We sae Rohit dancing down against Maharaj, now Mayank does the same against Piedt. Result the same, six runs.
11:03 (IST)
SIX! Another step out shot from Indians. Piedt gives it a toss, Mayank dances down the track and dispatches it over straightish long on for six.
11:02 (IST)
After 22 overs,India 61/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 32 , Rohit Sharma 29)
Maharaj continues and Mayank plays one more late cut. This time it reached the point fielder on one bounce. Indians looking set but have to be careful to not get carried away.
10:59 (IST)
After 21 overs,India 60/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 32 , Rohit Sharma 28)
Piedt has a smooth action for a off-spinner and straightaway he is pitching it in the right areas. Mayank, now well settled, plays a fine late cut to collect a four on the last ball and ruin the good work done by the bowler.
10:58 (IST)
FOUR! Little bit room from Piedt and Mayank played a fine late cut to beat the first slip and collect a four behind the stumps.
10:56 (IST)
After 20 overs,India 53/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 27 , Rohit Sharma 26)
Rohit comes out against Maharaj and hits a massive six. His first sign of aggression against spin. Fifty-run stand up between the openers. India have dominated the session so far and with few overs left for lunch, they would want to go back without losing a wicket.
10:54 (IST)
SIX! Rohit steps out and hits Maharaj for a massive six over long on. That brings up India's fifty as well.
10:53 (IST)
After 19 overs,India 46/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 27 , Rohit Sharma 19)
Dane Piedt, right-arm off break, brought into the attack. He starts off with a maiden. Nice loopy off spinners. He is just 7 matches old and Faf depends on him to provide the first breakthrough.
10:50 (IST)
After 18 overs,India 46/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 27 , Rohit Sharma 19)
Bit of a conference between Faf and de Kock before the last ball of the over, probably discussing the long off fielder. None of the batsmen have looked to play in that area. SA looking to stop the boundaries, as suggested by the field placements.
10:45 (IST)
After 17 overs,India 44/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 26 , Rohit Sharma 18)
Maharaj continues. He is bowling at slow pace, asking the batsman to hit him hard if they want to score off him. Mayank did play a powerpacked drive through point for four runs. Maharaj would not mind that at all.
10:44 (IST)
FOUR! Slow in pace, flight on ball, lured Mayank to hit it through the square off the wicket on off side. It was in the air but also in the gap. Four runs for Mayank but Maharaj was very close to a wicket as well.
10:41 (IST)
After 16 overs,India 40/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 22 , Rohit Sharma 18)
Philander continues after drinks break. Commentators Murali Kartik and Sunil Gavaskar are not impressed with the deep point placed for both the batsmen with Philander bowling with keeper up. The plan seems to be stop runs, which is not the kind of mindset you want especially when the openers have settled well.
10:40 (IST)
First hour of play done and despite some "oohs" and "aahs", particularly off Philander, Indian openers are still there. It has been slow progress as they are intent on taking their time. Having said that neither Mayank Agarwal nor Rohit Sharma have looked completely comfortable at the crease.
Rohit in particular has got that strange two-step forward leave off pace bowling and it hasn't looked effective keeping in mind overseas conditions. Nervy start for India but with spin working now, things should settle down easier.
10:34 (IST)
After 15 overs,India 37/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 20 , Rohit Sharma 17)
Maharaj continues. Rohit is looking comfortable in the middle. The partnership is growing and the Indian dressing will be very relaxed right now. Players take drinks. Much needed given the humidity levels in Vizag.
10:30 (IST)
After 14 overs,India 35/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 19 , Rohit Sharma 16)
Okay, Philander is back into the attack. First sign of desperateness from South Africa. The fact that India have played the first hour without losing wicket might be playing on their minds. Two slips and a gully. In quest to swing it in to the batsman, Philander pitched one up and was punished by Mayank.
10:29 (IST)
FOUR! Top shot, Mayank gets a full length delivery, he comes on top of the ball and hits it through the covers for four runs.
10:25 (IST)
After 13 overs,India 30/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 15 , Rohit Sharma 15)
Maharaj changes plan. There is silly point and first slip now with a short cover in place for Mayank. He sticks to the off stump line, asking the batsman to drive. Mayank is looking to play his shots though. Collects a boundary on the penultimate ball of the over.
10:24 (IST)
FOUR! Flight on the ball but fuller in length, Mayank hits it again the turn through mid-on for four runs.
10:22 (IST)
After 12 overs,India 26/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 11 , Rohit Sharma 15)
Rohit almost pulled off his famous pull on the second ball of the over, bowled short by Rabada, came at chest height to Rohit, who pulled it but not too convincingly. Rohit plays a off drive for two. Looking good Hitman with each passing ball.
10:17 (IST)
After 11 overs,India 22/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 11 , Rohit Sharma 11)
Beautiful bowling from Maharaj, Bowling round the stumps to Mayank. Very consistent in his line, not spinning it too much. Keeping it around the off stump. Completes a maiden over.
10:15 (IST)
After 10 overs,India 22/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 11 , Rohit Sharma 11)
As expected, Rabada continues from the other end and what a over from the Protea. The humidity is 77 percent in Vizag and Rabada is sweating a lot but he has not sacrificed any pace. Swinging it in to Rohit and at times, bowling a few snorters. Another maiden from him.
10:10 (IST)
After 9 overs,India 22/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 11 , Rohit Sharma 11)
First sight of spin this morning as Keshav Maharaj, Left arm orthodox, is brought into the attack by Faf. The Indian openers despite getting of to shaky start have been able to survive the opening spell. Good start from Maharaj. 3 off the over.
10:07 (IST)
After 8 overs,India 19/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 11 , Rohit Sharma 8)
Rabada is building up good pace. Huge LBW appeal against Agarwal. Umpire turned it down and Faf was not interested to go upstairs and use his review. Maiden from Rabada.
10:02 (IST)
After 7 overs,India 19/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 11 , Rohit Sharma 8)
Alright, de Kock comes up to the stump. Just two slips and Rohit collects a four square off the wicket on the off side on the first ball after this new plan is implemented. Guess this was done to play Mind games with Rohit.
10:00 (IST)
FOUR! De Kock comes up to the stumps, Philander bowls outside the off stump, no third slip and Rohit slashes it hard for four square off the wicket.
09:57 (IST)
After 6 overs,India 15/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 11 , Rohit Sharma 4)
Rabada beginning to hit the deck hard and is getting movement as well. Got a leading edge off Mayank and beat the edge two balls later. Mayank was in two minds on both the occasion. The last ball was a sharp inswinger but it was well evaded by Mayank. Great contest is on between bat and ball in this first hour of Day 1.
09:56 (IST)
FOUR! Luck for Mayank, movement for Rabada off the pitch and bounce, squared up Mayank, ball took the leading edge and flew through vacant fourth slip for four runs.
09:53 (IST)
After 5 overs,India 9/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 5 , Rohit Sharma 4)
Philander continues with three slips to Rohit, takes first two away, brings the third one in and it almost ripped Rohit's off stump. Rohit is looking positive but he has no idea of which way it will swing after pitching. Philander growing in confidence.
09:53 (IST)
Instances when Rohit Sharma opened the batting in First Class cricket before today:
v Saurashtra, Chennai, 2009
v Rajasthan, Jaipur, 2010
v Punjab, Mumbai, 2012
09:49 (IST)
After 4 overs,India 9/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 5 , Rohit Sharma 4)
Rabada is warming up as well. Better over from him. Testing Mayank with pace around the off stump line. Teasing him with some snorters. Moral victory for the bowler. Maiden from Rabada.
09:45 (IST)
After 3 overs,India 9/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 5 , Rohit Sharma 4)
Philander continues. The away swing to Rohit almost took the faint edge off his bat. That was Typical Philander, pitching it on off stump and swinging it away, squaring up the batsman. Two balls later, he brought it in and Rohit walked in to the shot to evade it. Kind of over which will give Philander huge confidence.
09:41 (IST)
After 2 overs,India 8/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 4 , Rohit Sharma 4)
Kagiso Rabada, right-arm fast, is bowling from the other end. Rohit Sharma starts off with a boundary on the second ball of the over. Typical limited-overs' Rohit that was in that boundary. Big match for hi. He lets next few deliveries pass.
09:40 (IST)
Kagiso Rabada’s bowling SR in Tests:
Home : 32.7
Away : 54.6
09:39 (IST)
Did you know?
Vernon Philander’s bowling average of 18.96 against India in Tests is the second best for him against any country in Tests after Sri Lanka (17.56).
09:39 (IST)
FOUR! Rohit begins his stint as Test opener with a boundary on the second ball of the Rabada over. Little short and wide, Rohit opens full face of the bat and hits it for four runs through gully.
09:36 (IST)
After 1 overs,India 4/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 4 , Rohit Sharma 0)
Vernon Philander begins proceedings for South Africa. Mayank was watchful as the the fast ball was right on money, around the off stump line. The third ball was slightly overpitched and Mayank hit it for four to open his account. LBW appeal on the penultimate ball but it was missing the off stump. Also, there were two noises. Four from the first over of the Test match.
09:34 (IST)
Rohit Sharma’s batting average in Tests:
At home: 85.44
Against South Africa : 12.41
09:34 (IST)
FOUR! Not much pace but width provided to Mayank, also it was overpitched, Mayank hit it through gully for four runs. First runs for India and the opening batsman.
India vs South Africa, LIVE Cricket Score, Test Match, Day 1 at Visakhapatnam Latest Updates: Rabada continues. Rohit remains on 48, two short of a confidence-boosting fifty. India in strong position and should look to go back with all wickets intact.
Preview: One-day big hitter Rohit Sharma will stake a claim to become India's first-choice opening Test batsman when they start a series against South Africa on Wednesday looking for a record-breaking win.
Victory in the three-match series would see India break the record of 10 straight home series wins they currently hold with Australia.
Much focus in the first Test in Visakhapatnam will be on the 32-year-old Sharma – a star of India's limited-overs teams as well as skipper of the Mumbai Indians who won this year's Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament.
Sharma has not been a Test regular, however. The last of his 27 Test caps since 2013 was in Australia last year.
He now has a new chance, replacing the out-of-form KL Rahul, as the opening positions remain a problem for India.
"He has worked so hard and if he gets an opportunity, I am sure he will do well," vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane said of Sharma.
"We all know the quality he has. He is simply special."
The new Sharma experiment has had a disastrous start, however -- he was dismissed for a duck on the second ball he faced in a practice game against the South Africans.
Natural runs
India batting great VVS Laxman said Sharma needs to stick to his natural flair while opening in the longer format.
"If you tweak your natural game too much, then you will not get the results as your mind gets cluttered and you tend to lose your rhythm," said Laxman, a middle-order batsman who was forced to open for India.
"I can admit that my flow was affected when I opened. Rohit is a rhythm-based player and if his touch gets affected, then it will be difficult."
Squads
India
Virat Kohli (capt), Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Shubman Gill
South Africa
Faf du Plessis (capt), Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock, Dean Elgar, Zubayr Hamza, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Rudi Second
With inputs from AFP
from Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News https://ift.tt/2okWLcu
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
