South Africa A Bowlers Strike Early, Reduce India A to 25/2 at Tea

Bengaluru: South Africa A bowlers made early inroads into India A’s second innings, reducing the hosts to 25/2 at tea on Day 3 of the first unofficial Test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1 here on Friday.

Earlier, India A bowled out South Africa A for 199 in their second innings, setting themselves a 275-run target to win the match. Spinner Tanush Kotian starred once again, claiming four wickets to wrap up the visitors’ innings.

Resuming the day, pacer Gurnoor Brar provided an early breakthrough by dismissing Jordan in just the second over. Although Senokwane and Zubayr Hamza tried to rebuild, left-arm spinner Manav Suthar struck to remove Hamza.

In the 28th over, Kotian delivered a double blow, dismissing Marques Ackerman and Senokwane on the first and last balls of the over. Anshul Kamboj then got into the act, bowling out Rubin Hermann for 15 as South Africa A continued to lose wickets at regular intervals.

Kamboj struck again soon after, with wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant taking a fine catch behind the stumps to dismiss Tiaan van Vuuren. South Africa A went to lunch at 128/6, leading by 203 runs.

After lunch, the Indian bowlers continued their dominance, cleaning up the tail within 13 overs. Kotian finished with an impressive 4/26 in eight overs, while Kamboj and Brar chipped in with key wickets.

Chasing 275 for victory, India A’s innings began on a shaky note. Tshepo Moreki dismissed opener Ayush Mhatre for six, and Okuhle Cele removed Devdutt Padikkal for five, leaving the hosts struggling at 25/2 when tea was called.

Sai Sudharsan (8 not out) and Rajat Patidar (5 not out) will resume India’s chase in the final session.

Brief Scores:
South Africa A: 234 & 199 all out in 47.3 overs (Lesego Senokwane 37, Zubayr Hamza 37; Tanush Kotian 4-26, Anshul Kamboj 3-39)
India A: 309 & 25/2 in 9 overs (Sai Sudharsan 8*, Rajat Patidar 5*; Tshepo Moreki 1-9, Okuhle Cele 1-16)
India A trail by 249 runs.

With inputs from IANS