Mayank Agarwal And Co Help India To Take Honours On Day 1, Twitter Reacts

India vs South Africa 2019: 2nd Test, Pune – Day 1 Report; Yet again, it was the repeat of the story in the ongoing Test series between India and South Africa. The classy century from Mayank Agarwal and the entertaining knocks from Pujara and Virat Kohli kept Indians on top of the game at the end of Day 1 stumps. For South Africa, It was Kagiso Rabada, who was the wrecker-in-chief.

Earlier, it was once again Virat Kohli, who won the toss, opted to bat first. They asked Umesh Yadav to roll his arm in the Test match while the all-rounder Hanuma Vihari has been left out. Speaking of the exclusion, Virat Kohli feels that the change is mostly to get the balance right rather than anything else.

Read More: Mayank Agarwal Ecstatic After Back To Back Centuries Against South Africa

Mayank Agarwal smashed 108, Rabada picks 3:

On the other hand, South Africa also made only one change to the lineup that played in Visakhapatnam. They asked Anrich Nortje to make his debut, who replaced Dane Piedt. Unlike last time, this time, the fast bowlers of South Africa displayed high-quality skills with the new ball.

Philander, Rabada, and Nortje troubled the opening batsmen with their accuracy. However, the luck factor helped the Indians to get out of it. Just when things looked out of hand for Proteas, Kagiso Rabada bagged the wicket of Rohit Sharma to give a sniff of luck for South Africa.

However, Mayank Agarwal continued his dominance while Cheteshwar Pujara gave a handy contribution for the youngster. The duo added a 138-run partnership for the second wicket before Rabada bagging the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara. Then joins Virat Kohli in the middle with the opening batsman.

They both smashed a few scintillating strokes to make things look easy. Especially, Mayank Agarwal, who reached his century with a couple of sixes and one four when he was 87. However, after scoring a superb century, it was once again Kagiso Rabada, who gave a breakthrough for the team.

Read More: Shivam Dube Smashes 58-Ball Century, Twitter Reacts

Despite the wicket, captain Virat Kohli and his deputy Ajinkya Rahane finished the task without any further hiccups. On whole, Kagiso Rabada was the only person, who had a bit of stats to his name on Day 1. At the end of stumps, India scored 273/3 with Virat batting on 63* and Rahane on 18*.

Here are a few tweets:

50th Test as captain for Virat Kohli!
Most successful bowlers under Kohli
227 – R Ashwin
149 – Ravindra Jadeja
120 – Mohd Shami#IndvSA #IndvsSA

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) October 10, 2019

Pujara before taking the first run#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/83AFIo10Vx

— Lone Ranger (@RangerzLone) October 10, 2019

Reminded of the great Michael Holding’s words—team selection isn’t about justice…it’s about balance. Leaving out Vihari (highest scorer from the last series) must be a tough decision to take. #IndvSA #TeamSelection

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 10, 2019

They also serve those who stand and wait.. @mayankcricket has had to wait his chance for a few years.. boy, has he grabbed it.. superb fluent century.. special innings.. .. #INDvSA

— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) October 10, 2019

May Day in Pune! Mayank firing back-to-back Test tons against the Proteas! #WhistlePodu #INDvSA ?? pic.twitter.com/efi2ipSvkJ

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) October 10, 2019

Well, some advice for the debutant.#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/FFcklZGjge

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) October 10, 2019

India on top at the end of the Day 1 #PuneTest.

Another 200 on board will secure the game for #TeamIndia @imVkohli@ajinkyarahane88 @bhogleharsha@cricketaakash @harbhajan_singh#INDvsSA #INDvSA

— Himanshu Ghiya (@him_brainteaser) October 10, 2019

https://twitter.com/Chandan3/status/1182259157912604672

Hanuma Vihari was find of India vs West Indies Test #Cricket Series. @Hanumavihari
Mayank Aggarwal has been superlative in ongoing India vs South Africa series, back2back century as opener.#india vs #SAfrica #IndvsSAfrica #INDvSA #meninblue #kohil @imVkohli @BCCI @mayankcricket

— Pranab Prakhar (@PMIPL_media) October 10, 2019

Early signs of a @imVkohli ?!!! #INDvSA #JustSaying

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 10, 2019

Proper test match batting from Mayank Agarwal. The transformation from white ball slasher to red ball accumulator continues.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 10, 2019

On a morning where the ball was doing a fair bit, it was still India's session. And South Africa will be disappointed by what the scoreboard is saying.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 10, 2019

Brilliant 100 @mayankcricket very happy for you.. may you continue to shine.. god bless you.. stay humble always @StarSportsIndia @BCCI pic.twitter.com/6bqbnpWjAb

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 10, 2019

Mauke pe chaukha marne wale ko kehte hay #mayankagarwal

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 10, 2019