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.

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#3. KL Rahul

KL Rahul celebrates his maiden hundred

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.

#2. Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan Prithvi Shaw Prithvi Shaw.

The southpaw may no longer be in reckoning as far as India’s Test squad is concerned, but, in his very first innings as Test opener, which was also his debut game, he pulverised the Aussie bowlers like few have done in history.

Dhawan made his debut at Mohali in the 3rd Test of the 2013 series against Australia played from March 14-18. India were under pressure with Aussies having posted 408 on board courtesy 90s from Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc. Dhawan, however, came in and batted as if he always belonged here.

Launching a brutal assault on the Aussies, he smashed a memorable 187 from merely 174 balls, with 33 fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 107.47. Reputed Aussie bowlers like Starc, Peter Siddle and Nathan Lyon had no answer to Dhawan’s brilliance on the day. India went on to win the Test by six wickets.

Following Dhawan’s heroics, hopes were raised that he could be Virender Sehwag’s replacement in Test cricket. It proved to be a futile hope, though.

#1. Prithvi Shaw

The Mumbai youngster, who is currently serving a eight-month ban after failing a dope test, was the most recent Indian opener to notch up a hundred in his first innings as opener. Like Dhawan, he also achieved the feat on debut, against West Indies at Rajkot in the first Test of the series played from October 4 to 6.

India batted first after winning the toss, and Shaw showed no signs of nerves as he eased his way to a century at a swift pace. The talented batsman ended up making 134 from 154 balls with 19 fours, and was eventually dismissed caught and bowled by Devendra Bishoo. During the course of the innings, Shaw became the 15th Indian to score a hundred on Test debut, and the youngest in the elite list.

Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja also got hundreds in the same innings as India posted a mammoth 649 for 9 declared, and won the Test by an innings and 272 runs.

Comparisons were made between Dhawan and Sehwag.