Mayank Agarwal after his maiden double ton: “I am extremely happy. It is a feeling I can’t describe. Glad that I could make my maiden hundred into a double. I am happy with the way I played, I am batting well and if we can keep batting together like this upfront, it will great for the team. If Rohit and me can keep making contributing to make 450-500 every time, it will be very tough for the opposition. I would be lying to say that you only have to think about your own game. At times you feel that you are playing well and I can take a chance, but that’s not how it works. You have to be patient. We had a great partnership to lay the foundation and get to 300 runs. The way he (Rohit) dominated the spinners was great to see. Initially the pitch did do a bit with the new ball but when the sun came down it got better and better. As we approached lunch on day two, the ball started keeping low. It started spinning by tea and it is great signs for us. They (Ashwin and Jadeja) have been bowling in great areas, kept pressure and bowled great lines. But definitely the wicket has changed and if it plays like it is playing now, they will get a lot of purchase.”
Ravichandran Ashwin (2/9) and Ravindra Jadeja (1/21) struck early to remove Aiden Markram (5), Theunis de Bruyn (4) and night watchman Dane Piedt (o) as South Africa ended Day 2 at a lowly 39/3 in Vizag. This was after India declared their first innings on 502/7, riding on a double ton from Mayank Agarwal and a blistering 176 from Rohit Sharma. Dean Elgar (27*) and Temba Bavuma (2*) were at the crease when umpires called it a day. Earlier, Mayank Agarwal starred with the bat on the second day as he slammed 215 to become only the fourth Indian to convert his first Test hundred into a double century. Laced with 23 fours and 6 sixes, Mayank produced a sensational inning to help reach a mammoth first-innings total. Cheteshwar Pujara (6) and Virat Kohli (20) failed with the bat while comeback man Wriddhiman Saha (21 off 16) and Ravindra Jadeja (30* off 46 balls) chipped in with some quick runs towards the end. For South Africa, Keshav Maharaj was the most successful bowler, finishing with figures of 3 for 189. Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Senuran Muthusamy and Dean Elgar chipped in with a wicket apiece as well.
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