India A are gearing up to take on South Africa A in the next fixture of their unofficial ODI series, scheduled for November 19 at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. The hosts enter the contest with strong momentum, having clinched the second unofficial ODI by a commanding nine-wicket margin, which also pushed them into a 1-0 lead in the series.
Ruturaj Gaikwad has been the standout performer with the bat for India A on this tour, amassing 185 runs so far and leading the run-chart with confidence. On the bowling front, Nishant Sandhu has emerged as the most effective bowler for the side, collecting five wickets to top India A's wicket-taking list.
For the visitors, Delano Potgieter has carried the responsibility in the batting department, scoring
113 runs to remain South Africa A's leading run-getter. Bjorn Fortuin has been their most successful bowler in the series to date, picking up two wickets.
The second match saw South Africa A opt to bat first, and they initially looked steady. Openers Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Rivaldo Moonsamy capitalised on the fielding restrictions, putting together 39 runs for the opening stand. However, their promising start quickly faded as the middle order collapsed under sustained pressure. India A's bowlers, led brilliantly by Harshit Rana and Nishant Sandhu, dominated the innings. Rana struck with three crucial breakthroughs, while Sandhu delivered the most destructive spell of the match, claiming four wickets. Their combined effort restricted the visitors to a modest 132.
India A's reply was composed and clinical. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhishek Sharma made the chase look effortless in the Powerplay, driving and cutting with ease. Abhishek contributed a brisk 32 off 22 deliveries before falling, but Gaikwad anchored the innings with an unbeaten 68. His steady presence ensured the hosts crossed the finish line comfortably in the 28th over, sealing a resounding nine-wicket win.
India A vs South Africa A Playing XI
South Africa A (Playing XI): Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Marques Ackerman(c), Sinethemba Qeshile(w), Rubin Hermann, Dian Forrester, Delano Potgieter, Lutho Sipamla, Nqabayomzi Peter, Bjorn Fortuin, Tshepo Moreki.
India A (Playing XI): Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma(c), Ayush Badoni, Ishan Kishan(w), Riyan Parag, Nishant Sindhu, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Khaleel Ahmed.
India A and South Africa A Squads
India A: Ishan Kishan (wk), Riyan Parag, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma (c), Abhishek Sharma, Ayush Badoni, Prabhsimran Singh, Manav Suthar, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Prasidh Krishna, Nishant Sindhu, Harshit Rana, Vipraj Nigam, Nitish Kumar Reddy
South Africa A: Jason Smith, Sinethemba Qeshile, Lhuan-dre Pretorius (wk), Marques Ackerman (c), Codi Yusuf, Jordan Hermann, Mihlali Mpongwana, Bjorn Fortuin, Nqabayomzi Peter, Delano Potgieter, Ottneil Baartman, Rubin Hermann, Tshepo Moreki, Kwena Maphaka, Rivaldo Moonsamy
India A vs South Africa A 2nd Unofficial ODI Live Streaming
The 2nd unofficial ODI between India A and South Africa A will not be telecast in India. The match is likely to be live-streamed on the Jio Hotstar app and website from 1:30 pm IST, but there is no official confirmation of it.
