India A strengthened their position in the first unofficial Test against South Africa A, thanks to centuries by Suresh Raina (135) and Rohit Sharma (119). At the end of Day 2, India A finished at 582 for nine.

India A started the day with an overnight score of 281 for three that included 137 runs scored by captain Cheteshwar Pujara. Raina and Sharma were dominant against the hosts from the very beginning and forged a 106-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

The stand was broken by JP Duminy just before lunch when he got Sharma caught at the short leg by Temba Bavuma. Rohit added another 49 runs to his overnight score of 70; his knock was studded with 14 boundaries and two sixes.

While Raina continued his onslaught on the South African bowlers, the quick dismissals of Ajinkya Rahane (11) and Wriddhiman Saha (1) pegged the batting side back a little. Again it was Duminy who claimed these wickets in quick succession and reduced India A to 418 for six.

Raina kept on milking the runs and reached his century in the 141st over of the innings. Ishwar Pandey kept his cool and held up the other end when Raina was smashing the bowlers all over the park. This pair added 79 runs for the seventh wicket.

Wayne Parnell ended the partnership with the all-important wicket of Raina, who smacked 14 fours and three sixes in his 272-minute stay at the crease. Parnell rattled Pandey in his very next over. And the next to join him in the dressing room was Mohammad Shami, who was removed by Dean Elgar.

India A’s tail wagged vociferously as the last pair of Shahbaz Nadeem (46*) and Jaydev Unadkat (31*) added an unbeaten 82 runs.

South Africa A were 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:

India A: 582/9 (Chetashwar Pujara 137, Suresh Raina 135, Rohit Sharma 119, Shahbaz Nadeem 46*, Jaydev Unadkat 31*, Wayne Parnell 3/93, JP Duminy 3/80); South Africa A: 20/1 (Dean Elgar 9*, Simon Harmer 1*, RR Hendricks 10, Jaydev Unadkat 1/12);