![India A had a tough outing vs South Africa A [Source: @TheYorkerBall/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1762690398926_IND_A_SA_A_2nd_Test.jpg?type=hq)
India A had a tough outing vs South Africa A [Source: @TheYorkerBall/X.com]
South Africa A produced a spirited all-round performance to defeat India A by five wickets in the second unofficial Test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground in Bengaluru to level the series 1-1.
Despite heroic batting from Dhruv Jurel across both innings, India A couldn’t hold off a determined South African chase led by Jordan Hermann, Zubayr Hamza, and Temba Bavuma.
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Dhruv Jurel stands tall amid the collapse in the first inning
India A, batting first, found themselves in early trouble after losing Abhimanyu Easwaran for a duck in the first over. Wickets kept tumbling as KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, and Devdutt Padikkal failed to convert starts, leaving the hosts reeling at 86/5.
The home side had some resistance from captain Rishabh Pant's quick 24 runs, but it was Dhruv Jurel who batted brilliantly, and took responsibility with a magnificent 132 not out.
Displaying patience and composure, Jurel batted with the tail, adding crucial partnerships with Harsh Dubey and Kuldeep Yadav to lift India A to 255.
For South Africa A, Tiaan van Vuuren was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 for 52, while Tshepo Moreki and Prenelan Subrayen chipped in with two wickets each.
Ackerman launched a counterattack for the Proteas
In reply, South Africa A were reduced to 12/3 as India A’s pacers, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep, made early inroads.
However, captain Marques Ackerman turned the game around with a breathtaking 134 off 118 balls, hammering 17 fours and five sixes.
His aggressive approach completely turned the momentum as the visitors reached 221 before being bowled out.
Prasidh Krishna was the standout bowler with 3 for 35, supported by Siraj and Akash Deep with two wickets each.
Jurel continues his dream form with back-to-back 100s
Meanwhile, India A needed a solid response in the third inning to build on the 34-run lead. But early wickets once again derailed their start. The top order faltered to 84/4 before Dhruv Jurel (127*) and Harsh Dubey (84) stitched together a match-saving 184-run stand.
Pant’s quickfire 65 added valuable runs as India A declared on 382/7, setting South Africa A a challenging target of 417.
Okuhle Cele led South Africa’s bowling with three wickets, while van Vuuren and Subrayen took one each.
Hermann and Hamza chase down the mighty total
Chasing 417, South Africa A batted with remarkable composure. Jordan Hermann (91) and Lesego Senokwane (77) set the tone for the run chase by frustrating the Indian bowlers with a 156-run opening partnership. Zubayr Hamza added 77 runs of his own in a fluent knock filled with crisp drives.
Later, Temba Bavuma (59) and wicketkeeper Connor Esterhuizen (52*) ensured there were no late hiccups as South Africa reached 417/5, sealing a comprehensive five-wicket victory.
It was a complete team effort from the visitors. For India A, Dhruv Jurel’s twin centuries were the biggest positive, but their bowling lacked the bite to finish the job.
With that victory, the 2-game unofficial Test series between India A and South Africa A remains tied at 1-1.
