Unisa, University in Pretoria, South Africa

The Mumbai batsman struck his maiden double century in Test cricket on Sunday as India declared on 497/9 and reduced South Africa to 9/2 before bad light brought an early end to the second day's play in the third Test against South Africa.In the process, Rohit became the fourth batsman to hit a double hundred both in Test and ODI cricket, emulating Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Chris Gayle.Speaking to scribes after the day's play, Rohit said that he was mentally ready for a good outing in Ranchi."It was a good opportunity for me to open the batting. As I said during the Vizag Test, the communication between me and my team management was happening for a long time about opening the batting. So mentally I was ready for it. I knew it could come anytime," he said.Speaking about his knock, Rohit said: "I would say it was most challenging. I have played only 30 Tests. In terms of what was thrown at me, I would definitely say it was probably the most challenging one."Test cricket has its own challenges. Having played only three Tests as an opener, I know I have long way to go. I am not reading too much into these three Tests. Of course, I will take a lot of positives, but I am not reading too much into it," he added.The Mumbai batsman further said: "A lot could have happened had I not performed, and you guys (media) would have written a lot about me. So it was about making the most of the opportunities I got. I knew I had to make full use of them, otherwise the media would have written against me. Now I know everyone will write good things about me."Rohit has so far amassed 529 runs from four outings in this series to become only the fifth Indian opener to score 500 plus runs in a single Test series.Talking about the challenges of opening the innings, Rohit said: "Opening the batting is a different challenge as compared to batting at No. 6-7. It's just about how you prepare yourself, what you talk to yourself in your mind about what you want to do out there."Playing the first ball of the match is a different ball game altogether when compared to facing a delivery after 30-40 overs. But there's nothing in particular that I've done in terms of technique."( With inputs from IANS )

UnisaFOLLOW

Unisa, Latest News

India are just two wickets away from registering a massive victory over South Africa in the third Test match as they completely overpowered the visitors on Day Three of the clash here on Monday. ...

South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis has admitted that they were dominated by India in all the three departments in the three-match series which the hosts won 3-0. ...

India registered an emphatic victory over South Africa by an innings and 202 runs in the third and final Test at the JSCA Stadium on Tuesday to clinch their first-ever series whitewash over the Proteas. ...

Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem on Monday said that it would be a 'dream debut' for any cricketer who does it on his home ground. Nadeem's dream of playing for India was fulfilled on Saturday when he made his international debut in the third Test aga ...

India's bowlers, led by Mohammed Shami, pushed Virat Kohli and boys closer to a 3-0 whitewash as South Africa were left tottering at 132/8 at stumps on Day 3 after following on in the third and final Test at the JSCA Stadium on Monday. ...

Mohammed Shami snared three wickets to leave South Africa tottering as India look on course to complete a 3-0 whitewash after the visitors were bundled out for 162 in their first essay and asked to follow on at the JSCA Stadium on Day 3 of the third ...

After a fiery burst from the pacers, Indian spinners, particularly Ravindra Jadeja, came to the party and piled further misery on South Africa to put the hosts into a commanding position in the ongoing third and final Test at the JSCA Stadium here on ...

Rohit Sharma on Sunday termed his double century against South Africa in the ongoing third Test as the "most challenging knock" in Tests so far. ...