Mayank Agarwal's double-ton powers India 'A' taking 165-run lead

.

India ‘A’ opener Mayank Agarwal slammed a magnificent double-century in the first unofficial Test against South Africa at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, on Sunday. On day 2 stumps, the host posted a mammoth total of 411 runs at a loss of 2 wickets, taking a lead of 165 runs.

In response to South Africa A’s 246, India had a terrific start. Prithvi Shaw and Agarwal added slammed their respective centuries in the second session and stitched an unimaginable partnership of 277 for the opening wicket.

Prithvi Shaw was the first wicket India lost in the first innings. Dismissed by Dane Piedt in the 59^th over, the 18-year-old batsman ended up scoring 136 runs off 196 balls including 20 boundaries and a six.

Despite losing a set batsman, India ‘A’ didn’t lose the momentum as Agarwal continued punishing the Proteas ‘A’ bowlers and got immense support to his batting partner, Ravikumar Samarth. The pair stitched another crucial partnership of 78 runs for the second wicket before Duanne Olivier removed Samarth on 37 in the 84^th over.

Though the vistors managed to pluck two scalps in the day, they are yet to find a way to restrict Agarwal’s destruction. At stumps, he had added 220 runs against his name by hitting 31 fours and 4 sixes. Skipper Shreyas Iyer is unbeaten at 9.

Brief Scores:

South Africa 'A': 246 all-out in 88.3 overs (Rudi Second 94, Sarel Erwee 47; Siraj 5/56, Navdeep Saini 2/47, Rajneesh Gurbani 2/47).

India ‘A’: 411/2 in 54 overs (Mayank Agarwal 220; D Piedt 1/56, D Olivier 1/69) at stumps.