Pant and Vihari scored centuries as Indians stretched their lead to 472.
Rishabh Pant staked a claim to be part of India's playing XI for the day-night Test against Australia by smashing an unbeaten 103 off 73 balls on Saturday (December 12) at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Pant's 7th first-class ton included nine fours and six sixes, as he took 22 runs off the last over bowled by Jack Wildermuth to reach his ton in the last over of the second day's play.
Hanuma Vihari also scored his 21st first-class ton, and was unbeaten on 104 at the other end with India 386-4, leading by 472 runs at stumps. Mayank Agarwal (61) and Shubman Gill (65) spent valuable time in the middle against the new pink ball.
ALSO READ: Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant slam centuries as Indians extend lead to 472 against Australia ‘A’
Pant, who will face competition from veteran Wriddhiman Saha for the wicket-keeper's spot, showed signs of the batting form he had during the 2018-19 Test series. He had scored 159* in the final Test on the same ground, and today displayed a lot of freedom against the tiring Australia A attack hurt by few injuries.
Watch Pant smashing Wildermuth for 22 runs in the final over of day 2 here:
Whether India goes with Pant or Saha, the question will be answered only on December 17, as the latter also had scored a match-saving half-century in the previous tour game when Indians were in a spot of bother in the second innings.