Mayank Agarwal scores double century as India flays South Africa

VISAKHAPATNAM: Opener Mayank Agarwal completed a double century on Thursday to put India on course for a mammoth first innings score in the opening Test against South Africa.

Agarwal, who completed his maiden Test hundred early on day two, reached 200 in the afternoon session to earn a standing ovation in the Visakhapatnam stadium.

India were 419 for three in 116 overs with the 28-year-old Agarwal, on 202, batting alongside Ajinkya Rahane, on 11.


Agarwal put on a record 317-run opening stand with opening partner Rohit Sharma to set the tone for India's dominance at the start of the three-match series.

Playing in just his fifth Test, the right-handed Agarwal has smashed six sixes and 22 fours in 361 balls faced so far.

Sharma fell for 176, stumped off Keshav Maharaj before lunch, and India then lost two cheap wickets. Cheteshwar Pujara went for six and skipper Virat Kohli for 20.

Paceman Vernon Philander bowled Pujara on the first delivery of the second session. Debutant spinner Seruran Muthusamy got Kohli caught and bowled as his maiden Test wicket.

But Agarwal stayed firm to pile pressure on the South African bowlers in a session extended to make up for time lost to a thunderstorm on Wednesday.