Mayank Agarwal made it back-to-back centuries with 108 as India closed day one of the second Test against South Africa on 273-3. The 28-year-old, who made a superb 215 in the series opener in Visakhapatnam last week, hit 16 fours and two sixes during his 195-ball stay at the crease, and has put the hosts in a strong position to compile a sizeable first-innings total.
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Fellow opener Rohit Sharma fell for just 14 although Cheteshwar Pujara made 58 in a stand of 138 with Agarwal before he was caught by Faf du Plessis off the bowling of Kagiso Rabada. Rabada took all three wickets to fall on Thursday, accounting for the centurion in the same manner, while skipper Virat Kohli will begin day two unbeaten on 63.
The prolific right-hander will have Ajinkya Rahane for company after he battled for 70 deliveries in making 18 before bad light caused a premature end to the day’s play. India are 1-0 up in the series and in pole position to put the Proteas under severe pressure once again with another mammoth total.
