Agarwal, Kohli lead the way as India take control on Day 1

Following up their impressive performance in the first Test in Vizag, the Indians assumed early control on Day 1 of the ongoing second Test in Pune.

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, the hosts started off on a cautious note to see off South Africa's first burst on a pitch that had purchase on offer for the pacers. A probing spell by pace gun KagisoRabada, however, soon reaped the benefit as he got the better of Rohit Sharma (14) in the 10th over.

CheteshwarPujara, who had walked in at one down, got an early reprieve when he was dropped on knot by Temba Bavuma. Making the South Africans pay for their mistake and continuing his impressive run from the previous game, Pujara notched up his 22nd half-century.

The second-wicket partnership of 138, between Agarwal and Pujara, had helped India take the driver's seat before Rabada struck for the second time to dismiss Pujara (58) in the 51st over.

Agarwal though carried along his merry way to bring up his second consecutive Test ton. The Karnataka batsman, who had registered a brilliant double century last week in Vizag, became the only second Indian opener, after Virender Sehwag, to score back-to-back Test centuries against South Africa.

The hopes of him churning out yet another daddy hundred were cut short by Rabada, who had found the edge of Agarwal's (108) bat in the 61st over, to leave India at 198-3.

India's vice-captain AjinkyaRahane then joined hands with skipper ViratKohli to dash South Africa's plans of making a comeback. While Kohli went on to bring up his 23rd Test fifty, Rahane offered some stiff resistance to frustrate the bowlers.

Kohli and Rahane remained unbeaten on 63 and 18 respectively to guide India to 273-3 before the umpires called stumps on Day 1.