Double centurion Rohit Sharma acknowledges the class of Ajinkya Rahane, who helps himself to 115 on Day Two of final Test against South Africa; visitors gasping at 9 for 2
India's Ajinkya Rahane looks up in gratitude after reaching his century against South Africa in Ranchi yesterday. Pic/AFP
Ranchi: Rohit Sharma described his maiden Test double century as "most challenging" after he lifted India out of early trouble and put the hosts in command of the third match against South Africa here yesterday. Rohit made 212 as India declared their innings on 497 for nine on a weather-interrupted Day Two in Ranchi. The in-form Rohit, who hit twin centuries on his debut as Test opener at the start of the series, was involved in a crucial 267-run fourth-wicket stand with Ajinkya Rahane, who made 115.
'Most challenging knock'
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The hosts slipped to 39 for three on Day One after an inspirational spell of fast bowling by Kagiso Rabada, who claimed two early wickets before Rohit took charge.
"I (have) played only 30 Tests," said Rohit. "In terms of what was thrown at me, I would definitely say it was probably the most challenging one. Having played only three Tests as an opener, I know I have a long way to go. Of course, I will take a lot of positives but I'm not reading too much into it," he added.
The tourists were in trouble at nine for two, with Indian fast bowlers sending the opposition openers back to the pavilion. Zubayr Hamza, on nought, and skipper Faf du Plessis, on one, were at the crease when bad light stopped play for the second successive day. Mohammed Shami got the left-handed Dean Elgar caught behind for nought and fellow paceman Umesh Yadav sent Quinton de Kock trudging back to the pavilion for four.
The day belonged to Rohit who moved from 199 at lunch to 200 with a six off paceman Lungi Ngidi in the third over of the afternoon session as the raucous home crowd stood up and applauded. The in-form opener hit another six off Ngidi before falling to Rabada and returned to the pavilion with handshakes from the South African side. The senior batsman surpassed his previous best of 177 on his debut against the West Indies in 2013.
India's Rohit Sharma celebrates his double century against South Africa in Ranchi yesterday. Pic/PTI
Rohit, who has three double centuries in his already illustrious one-day career, smashed the ball all around the park as he hit 28 fours and six sixes in his 255-ball stay. But Rohit credited vice-captain Rahane, who recorded his 11th Test hundred, for his team's rescue act that started with the batting duo's marathon stand. "We have seen him for a long time. The way he has taken forward his Test career. He has always rescued the team from difficult circumstances," said Rohit.
Rahane's mental strength
"He has not done this in just one or two innings, but he's been doing it consistently. It shows how strong mentally he is and the hunger for runs. We have seen this not only in India and outside." Rahane, who started Sunday on 83, became debutant spinner George Linde's first Test victim. Linde got good turn with his left-arm spin in an extended afternoon session as he claimed Ravindra Jadeja for 51. He returned figures of 4-133 and said his team will fight back despite their bad start.
India are aiming for a whitewash after taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Brief scores
India 497-9d (R Sharma 212, A Rahane 115, R Jadeja 51, U Yadav 31; G Linde 4-133, K Rabada 3-85) v South Africa 9-2 (De Kock 4; M Shami 1-0, U Yadav 1-4)
Rahane in good space: Bangar
Former batting coach Sanjay Bangar stressed yesterday that Ajinkya Rahane was "in good space" after the Mumbai man scored his first Test century at home since October 2016. "He looked good since the second session yesterday [Saturday]. The hundred in the West Indies would have done him a world of good [in the first Test at Antigua] because that was something that hadn’t really happened for a long period of time. In those conditions he was able to contribute to the team’s cause when they were in trouble as they were in this innings as well," Bangar told ESPN Cricinfo.
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