Rishabh Pant shines as India A clinch thrilling win over South Africa A
Rishabh Pant led India A won the match against South Africa A, Pant was in stellar form and scored 90 runs while Anshul Kamboj’s late 37 runs guided India A towards victory. In the first unofficial Test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1 on Sunday, the India A took 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Batting first, South Africa A had scored 309 runs in 91.2 overs this included half-centuries from Jordan Hermann, Zubayr Hamza and Rubin Hermann. For India A, Tanush Kotian was the standout bowler as he took 4 wickets and kept the visitors on their toes. Even though India A were bowled out for 234 in 58 overs in the first innings this was due to Prenelan Subrayen’s five-wicket haul. South Africa A took a 75 runs lead and extended it to 274 runs.
India was chasing a target of 275 runs, India A was off to a shaky start as their top three batters – Sai Sudharsan, Ayush Mhatre and Devdutt Padikkal were dismissed quickly. But Rishabh Pant played a captaincy knock, even though he missed a century but his knock of 90 runs was very crucial for India A’s win.
After Pant and Badoni’s wickets, the lower order stood up. Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, and Anshul Kamboj produced brisk scores under pressure to guide India A to victory, completing a memorable chase.
Match Summary
- India A: 234 & 277-7 in 73.1 overs (Rishabh Pant 90, Anshul Kamboj 37; Tiaan van Vuuren 3-56, Tshepo Moreki 2-33)
- South Africa A: 309 & 199 all out in 48.1 overs (Lesego Senokwane 37, Zubayr Hamza 37; Tanush Kotian 4-26, Anshul Kamboj 3-39)
- Result: India A won by three wickets