The second unofficial Test match, being played at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, surprised everyone.
South Africa A chased down a massive target of 417 runs against India A for the loss of only five wickets.
This chase set a new record in Test cricket. India A had won the first match, but the series is now tied at 1-1.
South Africa’s Record-Breaking Innings
No batsman scored a century, yet five players scored fifties. Jordan Harman scored 91 runs off 123 balls, Lesego Senokwane 77 off 174, Zubair Hamza 77 off 88, Temba Bavuma 59 off 101, and Conor Esterhuizen 52 not out off 53.
Tiaan van Vuuren and Marcus Ackerman also added 20+ runs. Two partnerships exceeded 100, turning the game around. Among India’s bowlers, Prasidh Krishna took two wickets, while Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav all failed.
Rishabh Pant Is Vice-Captain, Yet Dhruv Jurel Deserves a Spot Too
Aakash Chopra said, “The team has been selected, and both Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant are there. Rishabh Pant will play. Rishabh Pant is the vice-captain.
So, he is going to play, and he should play. He is a generational talent if you talk about Test cricket, but I feel Dhruv Jurel should also be played. A place should be created for him in the XI.”
India A’s Domination and Then a Blow
India A took a 34-run lead in the first innings and declared their second innings at 382/7. However, South Africa A displayed patience over three sessions and secured victory in the final session.
This chase was the highest successful in an A Test. Previously, India A had chased 412 against Australia A. South Africa A’s previous best was 295.
The senior teams will now play the Test series in Kolkata starting November 14.
