Written by: Stuart Judge
South Africa A chased down 417 runs against India A in the second multi-day match at the BCCI CoE to level the series at 1-1
South Africa A won the toss and elected to bowl first in the second four-day match against India A. Temba Bavuma replaced Rubin Hermann in the line-up, while Connor Esterhuizen replaced Rivaldo Moonsamy as the starting wicketkeeper. Left-arm spinner Kyle Simmonds also earned a place in the XI.
India A named a strong, experienced batting line-up with KL Rahul at the top, followed by Sudharsan, Paddikal and Pant in the middle order.
South Africa A started brilliantly with the ball and reduced India A to 86/5 after just 25.2 overs. However, India managed to recover and post 255 all out in 77.1 overs thanks to an exceptional knock from Dhruv Chand Jurel, who scored an unbeaten 132 off 175 balls, hitting 12 fours and 4 sixes.
The standout bowler for South Africa A was fast bowling all-rounder Tiaan van Vuuren, who claimed 4/52 in 16.1 overs, dismissing Rahul, Paddikal, Dubey and Prasidh.
In reply, South Africa A scored 221 in 47.3 overs, giving India A a slim lead of 34 runs. Captain Marques Ackerman was the star player with an impressive 134 off 118 balls, including 17 fours and 5 sixes. He handled Siraj very well, scoring 49 off 25 balls against him, and took on Kuldeep Yadav confidently, adding 42 off 36. His innings finally ended when he was caught by Harsh Dubey’s Pant.
Apart from Jordan Hermann and Prenelan Subrayen, none of the other batters managed to pass 20, making Ackerman’s innings even more important. Returning Test skipper Temba Bavuma was dismissed for a golden duck taken by Pant at Akash Deep.
India A started their second innings with a lead of 34 runs. South Africa again struck early to leave India 84/4 after 26.2 overs. However, Pant and Jurel steadied the innings and led India to a declaration of 382/7 in 89.2 overs.
Rishabh Pant played a quick 65 off 54 balls (5 fours, 4 sixes) before being caught by Esterhuizen off Simmonds’ bowling. Dhruv Jurel continued his good form and scored another unbeaten 127 off 170 balls with 15 fours and a six, while Harsh Dubey added 84 off 116 balls. The pick of the South African bowlers was Okuhle Cele, who took 3/46 in 14 overs.
That left South Africa A with a challenging target of 417 to win.
In a remarkable chase, five of the top seven batters passed fifty as South Africa secured a victory by five wickets.
Jordan Hermann top scored with 91 off 123 balls while Lesego Senokwane anchored the innings with 77 off 174 balls. When Hermann was dismissed by Prasidh with the score at 156/1, Senokwane soon followed for 197/2 after being trapped LBW by Dubey.
Zubayr Hamza kept the momentum going with an impressive 77 off 88 balls, while Temba Bavuma, returning from injury, contributed a well-composed 59 off 101 balls. When Bavuma fell, South Africa were comfortably at 352/5.
Connor Esterhuizen then saw the team home with a confident 52 off 54 balls*, hitting 8 fours and a six. He handled Dubey well, scoring 18 off 19 balls against him and attacking Akash Deep effectively, scoring 22 off 14.
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