Virat Kohli gave India a solid start to the post-Sachin Tendulkar era with an assured century on the opening day versus top-ranked South Africa at the Wanderers.
Batting in the number-four spot Tendulkar vacated last month following a record 200 Tests, Kohli compiled 119 of 255 for five after Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss.
Kohli, 25, was cautious against the Proteas’ fearsome pace attack en route to his fifth Test ton, but struck 50 runs from 44 balls facing the spin of Imran Tahir and JP Duminy.
Although Graeme Smith said he would have also batted first, it was tough early on for the tourists and Shikar Dhawan soon fell on the pull to Dale Steyn.
Morne Morkel had Murali Vijay caught behind yet Cheteshwar Pujara held firm in an 89-run stand until he was run out for 25 by Kohli, who changed his mind over a single to midwicket.
Rohit Sharma paid for an airy drive off Vernon Philander, nicking behind, but after being becalmed in the 90s Kohli went to three figures by taking Duminy for four and two in consecutive deliveries.
It was a surprise when Kohli was caught at cover via Jacques Kallis’ slower ball. Ajinkya Rahane’s 43 and 17 from Dhoni limited the damage for second-ranked India by stumps.