Thanks to Mayank Agarwal’s century, the Indian Cricket Team have ended the 1st day of 2nd Test match at 273 for 3 played at MCA Stadium, Pune on Thursday.
Indian captain Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to bat first. Mayank Agarwal and Rohit Sharma faced a tough opening burst from Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander. Rabada produced a beauty of delivery to dismiss Rohit Sharma for 14. Rohit and Mayank Agarwal put on 25 runs for the opening wicket.
Cheteshwar Pujara came to the crease and took time to score his first run. Mayank Agarwal looked solid with his defensive technique and played lovely strokes off bad balls. India ended the first session at 77 for 1.
After the lunch break, Mayank Agarwal and Pujara played with positive intent putting pressure on the South African bowlers. Mayank reached his fifty off 112 balls. Pujara was superb with his timing and just showed his class to reach his half-century off 107 balls. At the stroke of tea break, Rabada provided the breakthrough for South Africa dismissing Pujara for 58. Pujara and Agarwal added 138 runs for the 2nd wicket. India ended the 2nd session at 168 for 2.
Mayank Agarwal looked positive with his stroke play after the tea break. He reached his century with a boundary from Vernon Philander bowling off 183 balls. Rabada struck again by dismissing Mayank Agarwal with a good catch from Faf du Plessis at slips. Mayank scored 108. Mayank and Kohli added 35 runs for the 3rd wicket. The Indian captain Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane kept the South African bowling line up at bay. Kohli looked confident with his stroke play while Rahane struggled to score runs. The Indian captain reached his fifty off 91 balls after the 2nd new ball was taken by South Africa. India ended the 1st day in a strong position at 273 for 3. Kohli and Rahane have added so far 75 runs for the 4th wicket.
India 273 for 3 in 85.1 overs ( Mayank Agarwal 108, Virat Kohli 63*, Kagiso Rabada 3/48)
