Visakhapatnam: Mayank Agarwal (145 batting) completed his maiden Test hundred while Rohit Sharma made 176 (23×4, 6×6) on his opening debut as India headed towards a huge first innings total after lunch on day two of the series opener against South Africa here Thursday. Rohit Sharma was, was eventually dismissed in the 83rd over a few minutes before lunch.
At lunch India were 324 for one in 88 overs with Agarwal going strong at 138 off 270 balls. The hosts scored 122 runs in the session at 4.28 runs per over. After lunch India lost Cheteshwar Pujara (6) bowled by Vernon Philander.
Rohit and Mayank Agarwal, who resumed their innings at 115 and 84 respectively with India at 202 for no loss, did not take long to register India’s highest opening stand against South Africa, surpassing the 218 made by Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag at Kanpur in 2004.
A little later, when the duo crossed the 268-run mark, their stand became the highest against the Proteas for any wicket, surpassing Rahul Dravid and Sehwag’s effort in 2007-08.
Like on day one, Philander created some discomfort for the batsmen in the opening hour but apart from that, it was smooth sailing for the home team.
Rohit was dropped on 125 off Philander when keeper Quinton de Kock, who was standing up to the stumps, fumbled to take a sharp catch.
None of South Africa’s three spinners were impressive though Keshav Maharaj did have Rohit stumped towards the end of the session. Offie Dane Piedt was expensive again and debutant Senuran Muthusamy too failed to make an impact.
After reaching the three-figure mark with a single, Agarwal stepped up the offensive. He dispatched Piedt for a massive six over deep mid-wicket before reverse sweeping him for a four in the same over. Agarwal has so far hit 17 boundaries and three sixes in his knock.
Brief scores: India 346 for two (Rohit Sharma 176, Mayank Agarwal 145 batting, Virat Kohli 15 batting) versus South Africa.
PTI
