Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma score centuries against South Africa A
Suresh Raina
On the 2nd day of the 1st unofficial Test between South Africa A and India A, India A declared their innings at 582 for 9. South Africa were 20 for 1 at the end of the 2nd day, trailing by 562 runs.
Rohit Sharma went on to score his 16th first class century after he continued from his overnight score of 70 and also shared a 106 run partnership with Suresh Raina to help India A get past 500.
South African bowlers were further frustrated by the Indian lower order before India declared their innings at 582 for 9.
South Africa, in reply, suffered an early loss with the fall of Reeza’s with just two overs remaining before the close of play.
Although Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina began sedately at the start of the second day by playing six consecutive maidens.
Unlike the slow beginning of the day, both the batsmen found a rhythm and started scoring runs quickly. Rohit hit his 12th four through the covers to complete his century and soon after Raina reached his fifty stroking a boundary.
India A did not lose any wicket till lunch but the South African bowlers had some relief post-lunch when India went from 376 for 3 to 418 for 6 before drinks.
JP Duminy came to the rescue for his side by breaking the partnership between Raina and Rohit, when Rohit was caught at short leg by Temba Bavuma. Ajinkya Rahane became Duminy’s second victim after hitting two consecutive boundaries. Wriddhiman Saha was also dismissed by Duminy for 1.
Rohit Sharma was convinced by the number of deliveries he had faced and said : “I’m happy that I played close to 250 balls. Rather than getting 119, I feel facing that amount of balls was important.
“It was a crucial phase of the game when I went in and it was important that I stay in because we didn’t want to lose any more wickets. I wanted to prove a point to myself, and nobody else, that I could battle out the situation if needed. In that process I didn’t play my natural game, which normally includes a lot of shots.”