Cape Town - A spectacular and unbeaten double century by Mayank Agarwal and a hundred from Prithvi Shaw powered India 'A' into the lead on a dominant second day of the first unofficial Test against South Africa 'A' in Bengaluru on Sunday.
The home side ended the day's action with a 165-run lead as they took charge of the contest.
The pair shone as they recorded a 277-run opening stand in reply to the visitors' 246-run total.
Shaw played the more measured innings between the two, bringing up his seventh First-Class hundred before his dismissal in the 59th over on 136 (196 balls, 20 fours).
Twenty-seven-year-old Agarwal (220*) at the other end produced a brilliant batting display, smashing 31 boundaries and four sixes on his way to his double-ton landmark.
Following Day One's Rudi Second (94) led fight back, the tourists came into the second day on 246/8 with Malusi Siboto (13*) and Beuran Hendricks at the crease.
The lower order's resistance didn’t last long as India's Mohammed Siraj (5/56) picked up the final two wickets with no runs added the overnight score.
With the Indian batsmen on top form, it proved to be a difficult day for captain Khaya Zondo and his bowlers in the field. Dane Piedt (1/56) and Duanne Olivier (1/69) provided the only breakthroughs, accounting for Shaw and Ravikumar Samarth (37).
India 'A' reached stumps on a hefty 411/2 after 87 overs, with Agarwal and captain, Shreyas Iyer (9*) at the crease.
SA A squad (to play in four-day series against India A):
Khaya Zondo (Dolphins, capt), Sarel Erwee (Dolphins), Zubayr Hamza (Cape Cobras), Beuran Hendricks (Highveld Lions), Pieter Malan (Cape Cobras), Senuran Muthusamy (Dolphins), Mthiwekhaya Nabe (Cape Cobras), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Duanne Olivier (Knights), Dane Piedt (Cape Cobras), Dwaine Pretorius (Highveld Lions), Rudi Second (Knights), Rassie van der Dussen (Highveld Lions), Malusi Siboto (Highveld Lions), Shaun von Berg (Titans).
SA A Tour to India Itinerary 2018
Four-Day Test Series
August 4-7: 1st four-day Test match v India 'A', Bangaluru
August 10-13: 2nd four-day Test match v India 'A', Bangaluru