India A vs South Africa A: In a gripping four-day unofficial Test match, India A showcased notable performances, particularly from fast-bowler Prasidh Krishna and batter Pradosh Ranjan Paul, despite the game ending in a draw against South Africa A.
Krishna’s stellar display in the bowling department stole the spotlight as he claimed five wickets while conceding only 43 runs in his 18.1 overs. The 27-year-old’s remarkable performance, marked by a hattrick, positions him as a strong contender for India’s upcoming Test series against South Africa, especially if Mohammed Shami remains sidelined due to injury.
Krishna’s bowling brilliance dismantled South Africa A’s lower order, causing them to collapse from a sturdy position of 239 for 4 to a final score of 319 in the first innings. This marked his third five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.
India A vs South Africa A 1st match: What happened?
India A’s bowling effort also saw contributions from Vidwath Kaverappa and left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar, each securing a wicket. Noteworthy performances from South Africa A’s Jean du Plessis (106) and Rubin Hermann (95) added to the competitive nature of the match.
On the batting front for India A, Pradosh Ranjan Paul stole the show with an impressive innings of 163 runs off 209 balls, featuring 23 boundaries and a six. He formed crucial century-plus partnerships, first with Sarfaraz Khan (68) and then with Shardul Thakur (76).
In the second innings, South Africa managed to score 152 for 2 in 42 overs before the match concluded in a draw. Opener Yaseen Valli’s unbeaten 72 and Du Plessis’s unbeaten 50 ensured a solid performance for the visitors.
Despite a delayed start due to the first day being washed out, the match provided cricket enthusiasts with thrilling moments over four action-packed days, culminating in a well-fought draw.
