Hosts India put themselves in a very strong position against South Africa at Tea on Day 2 of the first Test at Visakhapatnam, posting a mammoth 450 runs on the scoreboard.


Opener Mayank Agarwal spearheaded the batting efforts for the hosts by notching up his maiden double ton in Test cricket. At tea, Hanuma Vihari was batting at 8 and had company in the form of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, unbeaten at 6.

The Indians have been able to notch up a monumental score after the newly formed opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal stitched together a 300-plus stand for the first wicket in the morning session. The Indian openers broke records a plenty by becoming only the third Indian opening pair to register a 300-run partnership.


South Africa dealt the opening blow when left-arm orthodox spinner Keshav Maharaj dismissed Rohit Sharma for 176. The Indians kept piling on the runs with Mayank Agarwal scoring his maiden ton to help the hosts post 324-1 at Lunch.

Resuming after lunch, India lost Cheteshwar Pujara (6) on the very first ball to Vernon Philander. Skipper Virat Kohli joined Agarwal and the two put together a handy 50-run partnership to further stamp India's authority. Just as skipper Kohli was looking well settled, debutant spinner Senuran Muthasamy dismissed the Indian skipper (20) to claim his maiden wicket.

The Indians lost wickets in quick succession with Ajinkya Rahane (15)  holing one to Keshav Maharaj off followed by part timer Dean Elgar sending the double centurion Mayank Agarwal (215) back to the pavilion.

India vs South Africa, 1st Test

Brief Scores: India: 450-5 ( 124 Overs)

Mayank Agarwal - 215, Rohit Sharma - 176

Keshav Maharaj - 2 for 169