Skipper Cheteshwar Pujara hit a scintillating 140 as India A reached 281/3 against South Africa A at stumps on the opening day of the first unofficial Test here 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 in a strong position in the four-day match.
Pujara, who won the toss and elected to bat, also added 66 runs for the second wicket along with opener Murali Vijay (44).
The Saurashtra batsman was ably supported by Rohit, 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, getting dismissed by Simon Harmer.
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.