IND-A vs SA-A 2025, 2nd unofficial Test: Proteas pull up fearless act to collect record run-chase

The second unofficial Test between India A and South Africa A ended in the favour of the visitors by five wickets at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1 in Bengaluru. With this, the focus will now shift onto the three ODIs between the two teams. However, the senior sides will switch to playing a couple of Tests in Kolkata and Guwahati, respectively.

The hosts were bowled out for 255 on Day 1 itself. Star batter Dhruv Jurel remained unbeaten on 132 off 175. His dynamic knock comprised 12 fours and four sixes. Other than him, no Indian player could cross the 30-run mark. Tiaan van Vuuren, who had taken a total of four wickets in the first match, ended up with a four-wicket haul (4/52 in 16.1 overs).

South Africa A were bowled out for 221 while playing a little more than two sessions on the second day. Skipper Marques Ackerman stood out with an attacking 134 off 118. However, like Jurel in India's innings, he was the lone member to substantially contribute in his team's innings. Each of the five bowlers used by India contributed with at least a wicket to their name.

The second day ended with three wickets to fall for the Rishabh Pant-led side. One of the three wickets was that of Abhimanyu Easwaran, who copped a pair after being dismissed for a three-ball duck in the first innings as well. With a little over an hour left on the third day's play, the Pant & Co. declared on 382/7 with yet another ton for Jurel (127* off 170). Harsh Dubey and Pant impressed with 84 and 65, respectively.

Chasing 417 for the win, the Proteas did not lose a wicket till the end of play on Day 3. This meant they required 392 to win on the fourth and final day of the red-ball contest. Jordan Hermann missed out on his ton by nine runs. Lesego Senokwane and Zubayr Hamza scored 77 each. Senior batter Temba Bavuma, who had fallen for a golden duck previously, got 59 to his name. An unbeaten fifty from wicketkeeper-batter Connor Esterhuizen meant South Africa A crossed the finish line emphatically.