221/10 (47.3)
CR : 4.65
255/10 (77.1)
CR : 3.30
South Africa A won by 5 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Marques Ackerman
134(118) & 24(26)
97.6
1
D Padikkal to Vuuren
EPIC DISPLAY OF FIGHT FROM THE PROTEAS!!!! Historic win for for South Africa A as they hunt down a total of 417 runs to win this game and level the series 1-1. Short and wide, slammed down the ground to long off's right for a single. An excellent victory. South Africa won by five wickets, taking it down to the wire, and showing off their emerging talent pool. They have humbled a talented-looking Indian side in their own den.
Over 98
South Africa A 417/5
Connor Esterhuizen52(54)
Tiaan Van Vuuren20(23)
Devdutt Padikkal0-3(1.0)
SA-A won by 5 wickets
5:23 PM IST, Local Time: A historic victory for South Africa A, as they chased down a daunting target of 417 runs to win by 5 wickets and level the series. Remember, India A declared their second innings at 382/7, which ultimately proved costly as South Africa A produced a remarkable batting display, and the series ended in a stalemate.
Here is the recap of this contest. After being invited to bat first, India A were bowled out for 255 runs in 77.1 overs. The innings revolved around a gritty knock from Dhruv Jurel, who remained unbeaten on 132 off 175 balls, laced with 12 fours and 4 sixes. However, he received little support from the other end as wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals.
The top order failed to get going, with Abhimanyu Easwaran falling for a duck and Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, and KL Rahul departing cheaply. Rishabh Pant showed brief intent with 24 off 20 balls, while Kuldeep Yadav played a patient knock of 20 off 88 balls to help India A inch past the 250-run mark.
For South Africa A, Tiaan van Vuuren was the standout performer with the ball, claiming 4 wickets for 52 runs. Tshepo Moreki and Subrayen picked up two wickets apiece, while Okuhle Cele chipped in with one.
In response, South Africa A were bundled out for 221 in 47.3 overs, falling 34 runs short of India A’s first innings total of 254. The innings revolved entirely around skipper MJ Ackerman, who played a lone hand with a scintillating 134 off 118 balls, laced with 17 fours and 5 sixes. However, the lack of support from the other end proved costly.
The top order crumbled early, slipping to 12/3 as Akash Deep and Siraj made early inroads. Jordan Hermann (26) tried to settle things, but once he departed, Ackerman was left to wage a lone battle. Despite his brilliance, wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals.
For India A, Prasidh Krishna starred with 3 for 35, while Akash Deep and Siraj chipped in with two wickets apiece. Kuldeep Yadav and Harsh Dubey also struck once each to complete a collective bowling effort.
India A posted a strong total of 382/7 in their second innings before declaring, setting a steep target of 417 runs for South Africa A. Dhruv Jurel once again shone with the bat, smashing back-to-back centuries and remaining unbeaten on 127 runs.
While the top order struggled — with Abhimanyu Easwaran bagging a pair in this contest and KL Rahul (27), Devdutt Padikkal (24), and Sai Sudharsan (23) failing to convert their starts — it was the partnership between Jurel and Harsh Dubey (84 off 116 balls) that revived the innings. Rishabh Pant played a brisk knock of 65 off 54 balls, striking 5 fours and 4 sixes, to accelerate the scoring rate and provide much-needed momentum.
For South Africa A, Okuhle Cele was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 for 46. Tshepo Moreki, Tiaan van Vuuren, Subrayen, and Kyle Simmonds chipped in with a wicket each, but none could prevent the massive partnership that powered India A beyond 380.
Here is the recap of this contest. After being invited to bat first, India A were bowled out for 255 runs in 77.1 overs. The innings revolved around a gritty knock from Dhruv Jurel, who remained unbeaten on 132 off 175 balls, laced with 12 fours and 4 sixes. However, he received little support from the other end as wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals.
The top order failed to get going, with Abhimanyu Easwaran falling for a duck and Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, and KL Rahul departing cheaply. Rishabh Pant showed brief intent with 24 off 20 balls, while Kuldeep Yadav played a patient knock of 20 off 88 balls to help India A inch past the 250-run mark.
For South Africa A, Tiaan van Vuuren was the standout performer with the ball, claiming 4 wickets for 52 runs. Tshepo Moreki and Subrayen picked up two wickets apiece, while Okuhle Cele chipped in with one.
In response, South Africa A were bundled out for 221 in 47.3 overs, falling 34 runs short of India A’s first innings total of 254. The innings revolved entirely around skipper MJ Ackerman, who played a lone hand with a scintillating 134 off 118 balls, laced with 17 fours and 5 sixes. However, the lack of support from the other end proved costly.
The top order crumbled early, slipping to 12/3 as Akash Deep and Siraj made early inroads. Jordan Hermann (26) tried to settle things, but once he departed, Ackerman was left to wage a lone battle. Despite his brilliance, wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals.
For India A, Prasidh Krishna starred with 3 for 35, while Akash Deep and Siraj chipped in with two wickets apiece. Kuldeep Yadav and Harsh Dubey also struck once each to complete a collective bowling effort.
India A posted a strong total of 382/7 in their second innings before declaring, setting a steep target of 417 runs for South Africa A. Dhruv Jurel once again shone with the bat, smashing back-to-back centuries and remaining unbeaten on 127 runs.
While the top order struggled — with Abhimanyu Easwaran bagging a pair in this contest and KL Rahul (27), Devdutt Padikkal (24), and Sai Sudharsan (23) failing to convert their starts — it was the partnership between Jurel and Harsh Dubey (84 off 116 balls) that revived the innings. Rishabh Pant played a brisk knock of 65 off 54 balls, striking 5 fours and 4 sixes, to accelerate the scoring rate and provide much-needed momentum.
For South Africa A, Okuhle Cele was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 for 46. Tshepo Moreki, Tiaan van Vuuren, Subrayen, and Kyle Simmonds chipped in with a wicket each, but none could prevent the massive partnership that powered India A beyond 380.
In pursuit of a hefty target of 417 runs, Jordan Hermann and Lesego Senokwane provided a solid start for South Africa A. The duo carefully negotiated the Indian bowlers and put together a 156-run opening stand. The hosts struggled to break the partnership, facing stubborn resistance from the batters. However, Prasidh Krishna finally trapped Hermann for 91 to provide a much-needed breakthrough. Nearly ten overs later, Harsh Dubey dismissed Senokwane for 77, sending both openers back to the pavilion.
Zubayr Hamza (77) and Temba Bavuma showed positive intent, keeping the scoreboard ticking at a steady pace to keep the chase alive. The pair added 107 runs for the third wicket before Prasidh Krishna once again struck, knocking over Hamza to give India A another crucial breakthrough. Marques Ackerman (24) struck four boundaries and looked positive, but he fell twice to Siraj’s bouncer — the first dismissal overturned due to a no-ball, before eventually departing in a similar fashion.
Bavuma looked composed and brought up his half-century after a low score in the first innings, keeping South Africa A in contention as they required 65 runs off the final 12 overs. However, just when the momentum was with the visitors, he perished to Akash Deep after scoring 59 runs.
It looked as though South Africa A would settle for a draw, but Connor Esterhuizen and Tiaan van Vuuren had other ideas. The pair shifted gears and counter-attacked brilliantly, bringing up a 50-run stand in just 32 balls to turn the tide of the game. Esterhuizen remained unbeaten on 52, while van Vuuren provided solid support with an unbeaten 20, guiding South Africa A to a memorable five-wicket victory.
Zubayr Hamza (77) and Temba Bavuma showed positive intent, keeping the scoreboard ticking at a steady pace to keep the chase alive. The pair added 107 runs for the third wicket before Prasidh Krishna once again struck, knocking over Hamza to give India A another crucial breakthrough. Marques Ackerman (24) struck four boundaries and looked positive, but he fell twice to Siraj’s bouncer — the first dismissal overturned due to a no-ball, before eventually departing in a similar fashion.
Bavuma looked composed and brought up his half-century after a low score in the first innings, keeping South Africa A in contention as they required 65 runs off the final 12 overs. However, just when the momentum was with the visitors, he perished to Akash Deep after scoring 59 runs.
It looked as though South Africa A would settle for a draw, but Connor Esterhuizen and Tiaan van Vuuren had other ideas. The pair shifted gears and counter-attacked brilliantly, bringing up a 50-run stand in just 32 balls to turn the tide of the game. Esterhuizen remained unbeaten on 52, while van Vuuren provided solid support with an unbeaten 20, guiding South Africa A to a memorable five-wicket victory.
Player of the Match: Marques Ackermann for his awesome 134 in their first innings.
Player of the Series: Dhruv Jurel
Highest Successful Run Chases in First-Class Matches between International Teams:
494/4 - Afghanistan vs Canada, Sharjah, 2010 (Target: 494)
418/7 - West Indies vs Australia, St John's, 2013 (Target: 418)
417/5 - South Africa A vs India A, Bengaluru, 2025 (Target: 417), THIS MATCH*
414/4 - South Africa vs Australia, W.A.C.A. Ground, Perth, 2008, (Target: 414)
413/5 - India A vs Australia A, Lucknow, 2025 (Target: 412)
494/4 - Afghanistan vs Canada, Sharjah, 2010 (Target: 494)
418/7 - West Indies vs Australia, St John's, 2013 (Target: 418)
417/5 - South Africa A vs India A, Bengaluru, 2025 (Target: 417), THIS MATCH*
414/4 - South Africa vs Australia, W.A.C.A. Ground, Perth, 2008, (Target: 414)
413/5 - India A vs Australia A, Lucknow, 2025 (Target: 412)
A commanding batting display from South Africa A helped them chase down 417 runs and level the two-match series 1-1. India A would be disappointed with their second-innings declaration, which ultimately proved costly. It was a pleasure bringing you the live ball-by-ball coverage of the enthralling fourth day's play. For now, it's me, Deepak Prakash, signing off on behalf of co-commentators Arijit Kundu, AkshayaKrishna Polya, and scorer/analyst Asraj Khan. See You Soon!