Visakhapatnam: This might appear Rohit Sharma's moment of reckoning, but the think-tank is not desperate for instant success as India's limited-overs vice-captain embraces a new role in Test cricket.

The first of three Tests against South Africa, starting at the ACA-VDCA Stadium here today, will be the Mumbai batsman's maiden appearance as red-ball opener. In 47 previous innings, he has batted primarily at No. 6 (25 occasions), at times at No. 5 (16), occasionally at No. 3 (5) and once at No. 4, but hasn't quite set the world afire despite beginning his Test career, belatedly, with centuries in his first two innings, as evidenced by a middling average of 39.62 from 27 matches.