Before Rohit Sharma, these three Indian batsmen hit a century in their maiden innings as Test opener

Rohit Sharma responded to the challenge of opening the innings in Test cricket in brilliant fashion with a century in his very first inning as Test opener, at Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. Electing to bat first after winning the toss, India finished the day on 202 without loss when rain ensured no further play after 59.1 overs.

Rohit, who came into the match under immense pressure following a duck in the warm-up game, walked back with his head held high. He was unbeaten on 115 from 174 balls, a knock featuring 12 fours and five sixes. At the other end, Mayank Agarwal notched up his fourth half-century in his fifth Test and was unbeaten on 84 from 183 balls with 11 fours and two sixes. With the hundred, Rohit became the fourth Indian batsman to score a ton in his maiden Test innings as opener.

Here’s a look at three other Indian players who notched up a hundred in their first Test innings as opener.

#3. KL Rahul

The man Rohit Sharma replaced at Visakhapatnam also had an impressive start to his Test career as opener. Despite managing only 3 and 1 while batting at number six and number three respectively on his Test debut at Melbourne in December 2014, the Indian team management promoted him to open in the very next game -- the 2015 New Year Test in Sydney.

And just like Rohit at Visakhapatnam, Rahul also responded in fantastic fashion. Replying to Australia’s first innings total of 572 for seven declared, India were under pressure having lost Murali Vijay to the third ball. Rahul however weathered the storm and went on to make a composed 110 from 262 balls with 13 fours and a six.

He stitched two important partnerships -- 97 with Rohit Sharma (53) and 141 with skipper Virat Kohli, who led the way with 147. Despite a second-innings batting collapse, India managed to secure a draw in the Test.