Okuhle Cele took three wickets, but South Africa A were again defied by a Dhruv Jurel century as India A enjoyed the better of the third day of the second unofficial test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Saturday.
The hosts, who resumed on their overnight 78 for three, scored an impressive 382 for seven declared with test batter Jurel recording his second century of the match after he scored 127* (170 balls, 15 fours, 1 six). It followed his first innings' unbeaten 132.
For the tourists, the bowlers struggled to make regular inroads as Cele ended as the pick of the bowlers with three for 46 in 14 overs. All the other frontline bowlers ended with a wicket apiece.
India’s strong showing meant they set the South Africans a daunting 417 target, with openers Jordan Hermann (15*) and Lesego Senokwane (9*) doing well to negotiate 11 overs without any trouble before the close.
The initial part of the day had also gone the way of the away side after Cele bowled another India test star, KL Rahul, for 27 inside the opening three overs. Captain Rishabh Pant was then forced to retire hurt, while nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav (16) was removed by Prenelan Subrayen (1-76), leaving the score on 116 for five.
However, the game was then changed dramatically by Jurel. He first put on a game-changing 184 with Harsh Dubey (84 off 116 balls, 12 fours, 1 six), before Pant returned to the middle to help the centurion put on 82 thanks to a dashing 65 off 54 balls (5 fours, 4 sixes).
That put India in a strong position, and they declared at the fall of Pant.
But the two SA openers then knuckled down to at least give their side a fighting chance with all 10 wickets in hand heading into day four.
South Africa A Four-Day Squad against India A
Marques Ackerman (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Temba Bavuma (DP World Lions)*, Okuhle Cele (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Connor Esterhuizen (DP World Lions), Zubayr Hamza (DP World Lions), Jordan Hermann (Warriors), Rubin Hermann (North West Dragons)**, Rivaldo Moonsamy (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tshepo Moreki (World Sports Betting Western Province), Mihlali Mpongwana (World Sports Betting Western Province), Bryce Parsons (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lesego Senokwane (Momentum Multiply Titans), Lutho Sipamla (DP World Lions), Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kyle Simmonds (World Sports Betting Western Province), and Tiaan van Vuuren (Knights).
*Second match only
**First match only
Management - Four-Day Series
Malibongwe Maketa (Head Coach), Riaan Osman (Manager), Richard das Neves (Batting Coach), Rowan Richards (Bowling Coach), Jimmy Kgamadi (Fielding Coach), Phumelele Skosana (Team Doctor), Tumi Masekela (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Brent Martin (Physiotherapist) and Abram Ndhlovu (Team Analyst).
Fixtures
Four-Day Series
30 October - 02 November
India A beat South Africa A by three wickets - BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru
06 - 09 November
India A v South Africa A - BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru
