Skipper Rishabh Pant’s stellar performance of 90 runs was the centrepiece around which India A secured a hard-fought three-wicket victory over South Africa A in the first four-day match on Sunday.
India
A now leads the two-match series 1-0, with the second match scheduled to be played at the BCCI CoE grounds from next Thursday.
India A Vs South Africa A: 1st Unofficial Test Day 4 – Highlights
How India A Beat South Africa A?
Resuming at 119 for four overnight, India A benefited early from Pant (90 runs off 113 balls, including 11 fours and 4 sixes) and Ayush Badoni (34 runs off 47 balls), who together added 63 runs in 12 overs.
India needed 166 runs at the start of the day to reach the target of 275, and both Pant and Badoni adopted an aggressive approach to reduce the target quickly. Pant hit pacer Okuhle Cele for a six on the second ball of the day, followed by two guided fours to the third man region, conceding 14 runs in the day’s first over. This set the tone for their fifth-wicket partnership, with runs coming at six per over.
At this point, South Africa A realized their mistake of bowling fuller lengths and increased the percentage of short-pitched deliveries. Pant, already hurried by a couple of snorters, failed to execute a pull off Tiaan Van Vuuren, resulting in a catch by Lesego Senokwane, who rushed in from second slip. This dismissal was a relief for Senokwane, who had dropped Pant on 80 off Prenelan Subrayen behind forward short leg.
Pant’s performance in the second innings and his 139.3 overs of keeping might serve as a positive sign for selectors ahead of naming the senior squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa later this month.
Badoni, after hitting a fluent flick off Tshepo Meraki, couldn’t keep down his pull off a well-directed bouncer from Van Vuuren, getting caught at deep fine leg. Tanush Kotian showed promise during his 30-ball 23, but couldn’t control his pull off Lutho Sipamala and was dismissed just a couple of overs before lunch.
India added 101 runs in the first session but lost three key wickets, leaving them at 216 for seven, still needing 59 runs to reach the target. The tail-end batters, Manav Suthar (20 not out) and Anshul Kamboj (37 not out), stepped up to the challenge.
Kamboj displayed bravery during his stay, getting hit on the side of his helmet by Van Vuuren, necessitating an immediate check-up from the team medical staff. However, Kamboj immediately hit two pull shots off the same bowler for a six and a four, showing his intent. Later, Suthar was also struck on his shoulder by Van Vuuren and underwent a mandatory inspection.
When Kotian was dismissed, India were still 60 runs away from victory, but the eighth-wicket pair managed to stay on till the end, despite occasional edges eluding the fielders. Victory was achieved when Suthar lifted Subrayen over mid-wicket for a boundary.
(With inputs from Agencies)
