An all-round display helps India A cruise to a comprehensive win over South Africa A in the first unofficial One day international played at Thirvunthrpuram on Thursday.
South Africa A captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and decided to bowl first in rain-curtailed 47 overs match. Shubman Gill got India A off to a flying start with aggressive stroke play putting pressure on South Africa A bowlers. Hendricks got the early breakthrough dismissing Ruturaj Gaikwad for 10 runs. Gill and Gaikwad added 54 runs for opening wicket. At the end of 10 overs, India A were 62 for 1.
After the power play overs, Gill continued to impress with his stroke play but got out playing a big shot of Fortuin bowling. Anmolpreet Singh played with aggressive intent and was dismissed by Junior Dala for a run ball 29. India A captain Manish Pandey and Ishan Kishan steadied the innings with attacking stroke play. Pandey and Ishan Kishan added 75 runs for the 4th wicket. Pandey and Ishan Kishan and Krunal Pandya went in quick succession to leave India A in trouble at 206 for 6.
Dube played with positive intent and showed his power-hitting abilities to reach his half-century off 46 balls while Axar Patel made use of the batting conditions. In the last 7 overs, Dube and Axar Patel scored 93 runs and smash South Africa A bowlers. The left-handed Patel reached his 50 off 34 balls. Patel and Dube added unbeaten 121 runs. Patel scored 60 off 36 balls while Dube hit 79 in 60 balls with 3 fours and 6 sixes. India A posted 327 for 6 in 47 overs.
Chasing down the target of 328 runs to win, Janneman Malan and Reeza Hendricks got the team off to a steady start adding 38 runs for the opening wicket. Yuzvendra Chahal made breakthrough 0for India A dismissing Malan for 18. South Africa A scored 49 for 1 at the end of 10 overs.
Reeza Hendricks played with positive intent and put pressure on India A bowlers. Chahal dismissed Breetzke cheaply. Krunal Pandya got the wicket of South Africa A captain Temba Bavuma. Hendricks and Khaya Zondo steadied the innings for the visitors. Hendricks reached his 50 off 61 balls. Khaleel Ahmed dismissed Zondo for 30 to end a dangerous 66 runs stand for the 4th wicket.
Klassen came to the crease and showed his class with bat putting pressure on India A bowlers with big hits. On another hand, Reeza Hendricks reached his century off 103 balls. Klassen and Reeza Hendricks added 61 runs for the 5th wicket. The India A bowlers kept picking wickets at regular intervals and bowled out South Africa A for 258. Klassen scored 58 off 43 balls. 8
For India A, Yuzvendra Chahal was the pick of bowlers with 5 for 47. India A won the match by 69 runs to take a 1-0 lead in series.
India A 327 for 6 in 47 overs ( Shivam Dube 79*, Axar Patel 60*, Fortuin 2/40) beat South Africa A 258 in 45 overs ( Reeza Hendricks 110, Klassen 58, Yuzvendra Chahal 5/47) by 69 runs.
