India A 411 for 2 (Agarwal 220*, Shaw 136) leading South Africa A 246 (Second 94, Siraj 5-56) by 165 runs
Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj swiftly dismissed the remaining two South African wickets, bowling them out for their overnight score of 246, achieving his second five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. In contrast, South Africa took 353 deliveries to find their first breakthrough on the second day.
Agarwal reached his century after the break, nudging one to mid-off off his 102nd ball. He expressed his jubilation before Shaw embraced him. Shortly after, Shaw also reached his hundred off 116 balls with a forceful shot to the right of slip. They achieved their landmarks and erased the deficit 20 minutes before tea.
Agarwal, on the other hand, continued unfazed, reaching 150 off 172 deliveries with a robust loft over mid-off. His Karnataka teammate and schoolmate R Samarth provided excellent support in a 118-run partnership for the second wicket. While the local crowd cheered every boundary from the home team, the South Africans persisted.
The reintroduction of the second new ball provided some relief for the visitors, as Olivier induced an edge behind from Samarth, who reached out for an outswinger. Samarth departed after scoring 37. Agarwal and captain Shreyas Iyer closed out the day, extending the lead to 165 at stumps.
While South Africa’s main team excelled in an ODI in Kandy, their A team struggled against a robust onslaught. All six bowlers employed by them went for four or more runs per over.
