New Delhi:
India A continued their domination of South Africa A in the ongoing series with victory in the first unofficial Test by seven wickets at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday. Having won the one-dayers 4-1, India A once again put up a magnificent show with both bat and ball as they trounced South Africa in a match that was affected by rain. India A had elected to bowl in overcast conditions and Shardul Thakur was the chief destroyer in the first innings, taking 3/29. Thakur was well assisted by Krishnappa Gowtham who took 3/64 and South Africa A were bowled out for 164 with Marco Jansen top-scoring with 45.
In response, India A were boosted by a brilliant knock of 90 from Shubman Gill and a classy 61 from Jalaj Saxena as they managed to take a 139-run lead. In the second innings, Thakur once again provided the early breakthrough but Shahbaz Nadeem and Jalaj Saxena worked in tandem to take three and two wickets respectively. Jalaj's all-round exploits have once again put him in the radar of the selectors as they look to pick the squad for the series against South Africa.
Heinrich Klassen and Wiaan Mulder shared a 74-run stand for the seventh wicket but they did not find any support from the rest of the batsmen as they folded up for 186, giving India A a target of 49. In response, India A stuttered as Lungi Ngidi took the wickets of Shubman and Ankit Bawne while Dane Piedt got the wicket of Srikar Bharat but Ricky Bhui held firm with a solid 20 while Shivam Dube ended the innings in style with two sixes.
The next match will take place from September 17 and it will be played in Mysore.
