India A batting lineup crumbled in the first session of the second unofficial Test against South Africa A at BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1, Bengaluru. The Rishabh Pant-led side lost as many as four wickets in the first session of play with just 59 runs on the board.
South Africa A captain Marques Ackermann won the toss and opted to bowl first. Picked ahead of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhimanyu Easwaran could not make his case as he was trapped in front of the stumps by Tshepo Moreki. He departed for a three-ball duck, failing to pick an inswinger.
Rahul and Sai Sudharsan looked to play out the new ball. In the 16th over, Rahul went for a drive against Tiaan van Vuuren and was caught behind. The opener managed to score 19 runs from 40 balls. In the next over, Sai Sudharsan could not pick a quicker delivery from Prenelan Subrayen and got out lbw for a 52-ball 17.
Meanwhile, Pant looked to counter-attack. He hit Van Vuuren for a four. In the next over, he hit Subrayen for a four and a six. But pressure got the better of Padikkal. He defended a delivery which straightened up after pitching and edged one to the keeper. He fell after scoring five runs from 12 balls.
Pant falls after lunch break
At the lunch break, India's two wicketkeepers returned not out. India A were 85/4 after 24 overs. Shortly after the lunch break, Pant was hit on the thumb by a rising delivery from Moreki. After receiving medical attention, he took the attacking route and was caught by Ackermann at mid-off. The skipper scored 24 runs from 20 balls. India A lost half the side for 86 in 25.2 overs.
India A playing XI -
KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (c) (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Harsh Dubey, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
South Africa A playing XI -
Jordan Hermann, Lesego Senokwane, Temba Bavuma, Zubayr Hamza, Marques Ackerman (c), Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Tiaan van Vuuren, Kyle Simmonds, Prenelan Subrayen, Tshepo Moreki, Okuhle Cele.