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Rustenburg: Skipper Cheteshwar Pujara hit a scintillating 140 as India A reached 281 for three against South Africa A at stumps on the opening day of the first unofficial Test on Saturday.
Pujara cracked 17 fours in his 205-ball innings and forged a 176-run partnership with Rohit Sharma (70) for the third wicket to put India A in a solid position in the four-day match.
Pujara, who won the toss and elected to bat, also added 66 runs for the second wicket with opener Murali Vijay (44) at Olympia Park.
The Saurashtra batsman was ably supported by Sharma, whose unbeaten 159-ball innings was studded with eight fours and a six.
At stumps, Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane (11) were at the crease.
Earlier, opener Shikhar Dhawan (11) took time to see off the initial phase but the Delhi batsman could not stay longer at the crease, getting dismissed by Simon Harmer.
Harmer induced a edge from the left-handed batsman to Reeza Hendricks at first slip. Dhawan had just one six to show in his 46-ball innings.
Vijay, however, looked in good touch right from the beginning and along with Pujara steadied the ship after the fall of Dhawan.
He was dismissed by Andrew Birch when he had him caught by Harmer at second slip in the 38th over. His 115-ball innings was laced with six fours and a six.
Brief scores
India A 281 for 3 (Pujara 140, Rohit 70*)
