Wriddhaman Saha returned to the Test side for India as they revealed the playing eleven for the first Test against South Africa in Vishakapatnam on Wednesday. The Indian team led by Virat Kohli saw the dangerous combo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja return to the side while young Rishabh Pant was dropped after been given enough opportunities to perform. Skipper Virat Kohli addressed the press ahead of India's game and revealed that he backed Rohit Sharma to open for the team in the longer format of the game alongside adding that Rohit Sharma would be given his pace and time to bring out the best in him. After a 1-1 draw in the T20 series, India will look to extend their lead at the top of the World Test Championships table by beating the Proteas and using the home advantage in their favour. 

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India's playing XI

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'No rush for Rohit Sharma to perform as opener', says Kohli

Virat Kohli backed opener Rohit Sharma and said that the batting depended on where the game was being played as conditions differ at home and abroad. Citing former opener Virender Sehwag's case, Virat Kohli explained that no one had told Sehwag how to play but once he had settled, he had gone on to wreak havoc at the bowlers and put India in pole position. Virat Kohli said that Rohit Sharma would eventually get to that position and that the team was not pressurizing Rohit Sharma to perform. Hailing Rohit Sharma as a 'mature and smart' cricketer, Virat Kohli said that Rohit Sharma would be given the space to finding the balance and said that the batsman's performance would depend on the situation of the game. Skipper Virat Kohli said that the entire team wants to see Rohit Sharma perform at his best and replicate his magnificent form in the longer format of the game. 

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