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Rishabh Pant must be scratching his head as to what happened on Day 4 of the second unofficial Test against South Africa A as India suffered a shocking five-wicket defeat at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1 in Bengaluru despite posting a colossal 417-run target.
South Africa A upset India A by 5 wickets to level series
On the final day, the visitors were determined enough to make the light work of the mammoth target in 98 overs, proving their batting depth. This historic chase was powered by half-centuries from five different South African batters, Jordan Hermann, Lesego Senokwane, Zubayr Hamza, Temba Bavuma, and the match-finishing knock of 52* by Connor Esterhuizen.
The visitors' chase was anchored by several substantial contributions. Jordan Hermann top-scored with a commanding 91 runs off just 123 balls. Close behind were Lesego Senokwane and Zubayr Hamza, who both added valuable knocks of 77 runs each to the second innings total. South Africa's Test captain, Temba Bavuma, also found form at a crucial time, scoring 59 runs off 101 balls batting at number four, a significant recovery after he was dismissed for a golden duck in the first innings.
The bowling attack for India A, which featured international experience in Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, and Akash Deep, struggled to break through the South African batting order on the final day. Despite the massive target, the Indian bowlers failed to dismiss more than five South African batters in the second innings, highlighting the comprehensive batting effort by the touring side that secured their impressive five-wicket victory.
South Africa A stage stunning chase
Chasing the mammoth target of 417, South Africa A began their pursuit brilliantly, as openers Jordan Hermann and Lesego Senokwane established a rock-solid foundation with a 156-run partnership for the first wicket. India A finally achieved a breakthrough when Prasidh Krishna dismissed Hermann off his own bowling. Soon after, left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey trapped Senokwane leg-before-wicket, leaving the visitors two down.
With both openers back in the pavilion, Zubayr Hamza and South Africa Test captain Temba Bavuma skillfully steadied the innings. They continued to frustrate the tiring Indian attack, putting together a crucial 107-run partnership for the third wicket. Sensing the game slipping away, Captain Rishabh Pant brought back Prasidh Krishna, who struck once more by rattling Hamza's stumps to break the stand. India A briefly clawed their way back into the contest when Mohammed Siraj found the outside edge of Marques Ackerman (24), and Akash Deep then removed a well-set Bavuma for 59, leaving South Africa A at 352 for 5.
However, the late wickets could not stem the flow of runs. Wicketkeeper Connor Esterhuizen played a composed yet counter-attacking innings, finishing on 52 off just 53 balls*. Supported by Tiaan van Vuuren (20 off 23)*, Esterhuizen guided South Africa A to a famous five-wicket victory. They reached the target with three overs to spare in the 98th over, completing one of the most memorable run chases in recent times.
Indian A bowlers run out of steam
The Indian bowlers struggled to contain the opposition in the final innings. Both Akash Deep (1/106 in 22 overs) and Kuldeep Yadav (0/81 in 17 overs) were expensive, leaking runs at an economy rate of 4.80. Harsh Dubey (1/111 in 25 overs) also proved costly, going at 4.40 runs per over. South Africa A Captain Marques Ackerman was deservedly named Player of the Match for his splendid first-innings knock of 134 off 118 balls.
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