Rustenberg: India A managed to keep their ascendancy on the second day of the first unofficial Test that is being played against South Africa A, as Rohit Sharma (119) and Suresh Raina (135) scored centuries that helped India A put on a huge total of 9/582 here on Sunday.
On the first day, skipper Chetashwar Pujara had put his side in a strong position with his crucial knock of 137 runs.
India started the day with an overnight score of 3/281 and from the very beginning of the second day’s play, Raina and Sharma tore apart the Proteas bowling attack with their sensational batting and played a huge role in giving India A the head start in this contest.
Partnership between Sharma and Raina set up the tone for the big score as they added 106-run for the fourth wicket. The partnership was broken by JP Duminy just before the lunch as he got Sharma caught at the short leg by Temba Bavuma.
He added another 49 runs to his overnight score of 70 and his knock was studded with 14 boundaries and two sixes.
Raina continued to humiliate the South African with his aggressive intent but the departure of Ajinkya Rahane and Wriddhiman Shah for 11 and one run respectively did slow down the proceedings.
Again it was, Duminy, who claimed these wickets in quick succession and reduced India A to 6/418.
Raina kept on milking the runs and reached his century in the 141st over of the innings. Ishwar Pandey kept his cool and enjoyed the way Raina was smashing the bowlers all over the park. This pair added 79 runs for the seventh wicket.
Wayne Parnell managed to put halt to this good-looking partnership in the final session of the day as he got the pivotal wicket of Raina who smacked 14 fours and three sixes in his 272 minutes long stay at the crease.
Parnell rattled Pandey in his very next over and to join him in the dressing room was Mohammad Shami who was removed by Dean Elgar.
Proteas failed to break the last-wicket stand between Shahbaz Nadeem (46) and Jaydev Unadkat (31) as these two added 82 runs for the last wicket and took India to 9/582.
South Africa was 20 for one in reply as Unadkat had opener Reeza Hendricks (10) caught behind. Dean Elgar and Simon Harmer were at the crease when stumps were drawn for the day.
Brief Scores:
South Africa A- 1/20 (Dean Elgar 9*, Simon Harmer 1*, RR Hendricks 10, Jaydev Unadkat 1/12)
India A- 9/582 (Shahbaz Nadeem 46*, Jaydev Unadkat 31*, Chetashwar Pujara 137, Suresh Raina 135, Rohit Sharma 119, Wayne Parnell 3/93, JP Duminy 3/80)