World Cup 2019: Rohit Sharma becomes first Indian to slam century

Rohit Sharma started his World Cup 2019 campaign with a century in India's first match against South Africa at Hampshire Bowl in Southampton.

Rohit Sharma notched up his century off 128 balls.

Rohit Sharma started his World Cup 2019 campaign with a century in India's first match against South Africa at Hampshire Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday.

This was his second hundred in a World Cup, after having scored in the 2015 edition against Bangladesh. Rohit, as an opener at the start will give chances and he did so in this match when he was dropped on 1 by Faf du Plessis in the second slip off Kagiso Rabada bowling.

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After that reprieve, it was a flawless innings to get to his 23rd ODI century off 128 balls. With Shikhar Dhawan falling early, India needed a batsman to hold up one end and Rohit did the job brilliantly, with India chasing a tricky target of 228.

He remained unbeaten on 122 off 144 balls, which included 13 fours and two sixes to see India over the line. 

Rohit's century was also India's 26th World Cup century and overall the 168th in the tournament's history. Interestingly, India has now equalled with Australia, in terms of most individual hundreds at the World Cup, which is 26.