Rohit–Jaiswal Opening: First Hundred-Run Stand vs South Africa for India Since 2013

India has been waiting for an opening pair to effectively lead a chase against South Africa in ODIs for over ten years. That wait came to an end on a quiet evening in Visakhapatnam. As they set out to pursue a competitive target of 270, Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal gave Indian fans something unique. What came next was a calm, self-assured opening stand that not only broke records but also laid the groundwork for a commanding victory that sealed the series.

India needed a solid start after choosing to bowl on a helpful surface. With movement on offer in the early overs, both Rohit and Jaiswal showed patience and awareness. The first few overs were about survival rather than scoring freely. Boundaries were rare, singles were hard-earned, and South Africa kept things tight with the new ball. But the calm at the crease felt reassuring for India.

Rohit Sharma took control as soon as the ball softened. He punished anything short or overpitched and had good strike rotation. India was cruising at 85 for no loss by the drinks break. In contrast, Jaiswal took his time. He appeared uneasy at first and made it through a few near-misses, but he never panicked. India's long wait for a century opening stand against South Africa in ODIs since 2013 came to an end when the partnership reached 100 in the twentieth over.

Highest opening partnerships for India vs South Africa in ODIs

Openers	Partnership	Venue and Year
Sourav Ganguly & Sachin Tendulkar	193	Johannesburg 2001
Yashasvi Jaiswal & Rohit Sharma	155	Visakhapatnam 2025
Sourav Ganguly & Sachin Tendulkar	153	Vadodara 2000
Virender Sehwag & Sachin Tendulkar	142	Nagpur 2011
Sourav Ganguly & Sachin Tendulkar	134	Belfast 2007

Rohit brought up a fluent half-century and continued to attack the spinners with ease. While trying to force the pace, he eventually fell for a well-made 75, but by then the damage was done. The opening stand had already laid the perfect foundation with 155 runs on the board.

Jaiswal took complete control after Rohit’s dismissal. Batting with calm maturity, he built partnerships with Virat Kohli and guided the chase effortlessly. His unbeaten 116 was a statement knock, marking his maiden ODI hundred and underlining his growing importance in India’s top order.

Earlier in the match, India’s bowlers set up the win with disciplined performances. Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna picked up four wickets each, while Quinton de Kock’s fine hundred was the lone highlight for South Africa.

This opening partnership was not just about numbers. It was about trust, balance, and timing. For India, Rohit and Jaiswal’s stand was a reminder of how powerful a steady start can be, especially when history is rewritten along the way.

Rahul Chaube

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