Ind vs SA: Mayank Agarwal slams second consecutive ton, India on top

Mayank Agarwal scored his second century of the series on Day 1 of the second Test against South Africa in Pune. With this century, he became the second opener after Virender Sehwag to score back-to-back centuries against South Africa. Agarwal had scored a magnificent double ton in the last game which had laid the foundation of India’s victory. He could not score big in the second innings and got out for 7.

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Agarwal started his innings cautiously against Rabada and Philander as both the bowlers utilized the swinging conditions and made the ball talk. In the 11th over he was hit by a ferocious bouncer by Anrich Nortje. The Indian physio rushed onto the ground to check on him and he was cleared to play. He punched the next ball for a boundary displaying his determination for the team. Once he was set he started playing drives at will.

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India lost Rohit Sharma cheaply for 14 by a beautiful Rabada delivery. Agarwal was joined by Pujara at the crease and the two started building the innings. They stitched a 148-run partnership before Pujara fell for 58 off Rabada just before tea and missed out on yet another century. India went in for tea with two wickets down.

Agarwal was in his eighties and he resumed his innings after tea. He smashed consecutive sixes off Maharaj which took his score to 99. Needing just 1 run he cut a Philander delivery to backward point and fetched a boundary and thereby bringing up his second century of the series. Agarwal fell to Rabada just moments after his century bringing an end to a fine innings.

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Agarwal's debut:

Mayank Agarwal had made his debut in the Boxing Day Test against Australia and gave a proof of his abilities with scores of 76 and 42 as India won the match by 137 runs. In his second Test, Mayank Agarwal scored a fluent 77.

He had a disappointing West Indies Tour where he could only score a lone fifty.

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