Mayank Agarwal smashes 133-ball 176 as India A reach final

Chennai, Aug 13: India A opener Mayank Agarwal blitzed a 133-ball 176 and Manish Pandey hit 108 against South Africa A in their last league game of the Tri-series One-Day tournament today. The hosts won a high-scoring contest by 34 runs to set up a final meeting with Australia A tomorrow.

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The 24-year-old Bengaluru boy, known for his attacking batting, was looking good to register a maiden double ton but was caught in the deep in the 46th over of the innings. Agarwal smashed 20 fours and 5 sixes on way to a brilliant knock.

Agarwal's city and state mate Pandey too was in top form as he made an unbeaten 85-ball 108 (8x4. 2x6). Thanks to the twin centuries from the Karnataka lads, India A amassed 371/3 in 50 overs. Mayank and Manish had a 203-run partnership for the 2nd wicket.

In reply, Quinton de Kock hit 113 but was not enough to give Proteas the victory as they finished with 337/6 in 50 overs. South Africa ended the tournament without a single win.

In a bid to accelerate the scoring in the final overs, Agarwal attempted for a six but only managed to find a fielder at long-on. As he headed back to the pavilion after an outstanding innings, South African players congratulated him.

"In the end, the 200-mark was at the back of my mind," Agarwal said with a smile, at the innings break.

"We are good friends off the field. It was good to have a partnership on the field. He is a nice guy," Agarwal said when asked about Manish.

Mayank and Manish run between the wickets during their 203-run partnership

Coach Rahul Dravid, other players in the dressing room also joined in to applaud Agarwal's effort. The same was witnessed when Pandey brought up his century.

Agarwal had hit 130 against the same opposition, who are yet to win a game, on the same ground on Sunday (August 9) and continued in same fashion today too.

Scores in Brief

India A 371/3 in 50 overs (Mayank Agarwal 176, Manish Pandey 108 not out, Unmukt Chand 64) beat South Africa A 337/6 in 50 overs (Quinton de Kock 113, Khaya Zondo 86, Reeza Hendricks 76, Axar Patel 3/32)

Final on August 14 (Friday) - India A Vs Australia A (9 AM IST)

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