Rohit Sharma slammed his maiden T20 hundred as India posted a daunting 200-run target for South Africa in the first international of the three-match series in Dharamshala on Friday.
Put in to bat first, India recovered well after the dismissal of opener Shikhar Dhawan (3) as Rohit and Virat Kohli swiftly accelerated the innings by making a robust 138-run partnership for the second wicket at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association stadium.
Rohit smacked 106 off 66 deliveries, including 12 fours and five sixes, while Kohli (43) became the first Indian to cross 1000 runs in the 20-overs format.
However, the tourists’ much-vaunted bowling attack wrestled their way back into the game as they significantly contained the run flow by removing four batsmen in short span of time.
Kyle Abbott claimed the wickets of Rohit and Kohli, while Chris Morris trapped Suresh Raina lbw for 14.
Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (20 not out) then finished off the innings in style as she smacked the last ball to a huge six to post an imposing target.