Rohit Sharma celebrates after scoring his sixth Test century

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

India opener Rohit Sharma scored an unbeaten 117 to give his side the upper hand over South Africa on the opening day of the third Test in Ranchi.

Opting to bat first, India lost opener Mayank Agarwal early on as he was caught by Dean Elgar at third slip off the bowling of Kagiso Rabada for 10 runs.

Cheteshwar Pujara failed to trouble the scorers as he was trapped lbw off the bowling of Rabada for a duck.

India captain Virat Kohli fell shortly after as he was given out lbw off the bowling of Anrich Nortje for 12 runs.

With India struggling at 39/3, Rohit and Ajinkya Rahane came to the rescue as they forged an unbeaten 185-run partnership before play was suspended due to bad light at the end of the 58th over.

Since the conditions didn’t improve, play was called off for the day.

Rohit finished on 117, which came off 164 balls and included 14 boundaries and four sixes, while Rahane remained undefeated on 83, which came off 135 deliveries and included 11 boundaries and a six.

Rabada was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Nortje claimed one.

India ended day one on 224/3 and will continue batting on Sunday at 09:30 local time or 04:00 GMT.