Indian duo put SA A to the sword in Bengaluru

SOUTH AFRICA A face an uphill task already in Bengaluru, after they were put to the sword by India A on day two of their first Test.

To their utter misfortune, they ran into the ambitions of Mayank Agarwal and the highly-rated teenager, Prithvi Shaw.

SA A had feared that there may be tougher days than the warm-up game that they enjoyed prior to the match, and their worst fears were realised as India A’s top order made merry on another very good strip.

Having been bowled out for just 246 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, SA A met the unerring bats of Shaw and Agarwal. As they play in Bengaluru, both men know that there may well be vacancies in the Indian proper top-order soon, and they are clearly keen on putting their hands up high enough for the selectors to notice.

India’s first Test loss in Birmingham was as much down to a brilliant English bowling performance as it was to a batting card that couldn’t find a prayer to support the incomparable Virat Kohli.

Enter Agarwal and Shaw, both eyeing a spot in a side that is in desperate need of some stability. SA A were met with their full fury, as they travelled for an incredible 277 for the opening wicket.

Agarwal was increasingly aggressive, as the sun burned and SA A toiled under the heat on and above the field. The run-rate hovered above 4.5 to the over throughout the stand, as both batsmen cut loose. Agarwal would eventually remain undefeated, on a brutal 220 not out from 250 balls. His innings was studded with 31 fours and four sixes, as SA A paid a premium for any wavering line and length.

Shaw, who has already made a name for himself in limited-overs cricket, also notched up a ton, as they put considerable egg on the faces of the national selectors. Shaw fell for 136, bowled by Dane Piedt, but having contributed fully to an alliance that changed the face of the entire day.

The other wicket to fall was to Duanne Olivier, whose running in hard found reward at the end of the day, thanks to Ravikumar Samarth being caught at the wicket for 37. Already, India A have compiled a lead of 165, and they are looking to crank up the pressure, before getting SA A’s batsmen back out to face the music.