India A v South Africa A 2nd Unofficial Test Review: Indian spinners prove too hot to handle for the visitors

India A v South Africa A 2nd Unofficial Test Review: Indian spinners prove too hot to handle for the visitors: The belligerent Indian A side defeated the South Africa A team on the last day of the 2^nd unofficial Test match at Krishnagiri Stadium, Wayanad by an innings and 81 runs. The first unofficial Test match had ended in a draw but with this win the hosts have won the 2-match Test Series 1-0. Axar Patel who was labeled by the Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar as ‘not a Test material’, was the stalwart for India A in the match. Patel scalped 9 wickets in the match which included his 2^nd inning figures of 4/0 in 6 overs with 6 maidens.

It was the heroics of Axar which tore apart the South African A batting line-up on the final day. Patel’s brilliant spell of spin bowling swayed away the visitors as they got bundled out for 76 runs in their 2^nd innings. Only two Protea batsmen could cross the single figure mark in the 2^nd innings. The out of form South African wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock top-scored in the 2^nd innings with 20 runs.

Earlier in the match, South Africa had won the toss and batted first. Though, the decision to bat first didn’t reap fruits for them as they could manage only 260 runs in the 1^st innings. Their innings was sailing smoothly at 204/3 but then their momentum and progress took a U-turn as their batting collapsed and the last 7 wickets fell only for 56 runs. It was Axar Patel who had blew them away like a pack of cards as he scalped 4 out of the last 5 wickets of the visitors. While the other off-spinner Jayant Yadav also complemented him well as he took 3 crucial wickets of Stiaan Van Zyl, De Kock and Cloete.

For South African’s it was Van Zyl’s exemplary knock of 96 runs which marched them to a respectable total. The southpaw showed that he has the capacity to play in alien foreign conditions as well. At international level, he already averages 76 after 5 Tests and seems to have a bright future ahead for the rainbow nation.

After restricting the tourists, it was Indian batsmen’s duty to take their side to a big 1^st innings total and they didn’t put a foot wrong as they amassed 417 runs on the board to leave African’s trailing by 157 runs in the 2^nd innings. As many as four Indian batsmen, Jiwanjot (52), Mukund (72), Rayudu (71) and Axar Patel (69) stroked half-centuries.

Patel showcased his ability with the bat as well to put India in the driver’s seat. His 69-run knock took past India’s total from 309/6 to 417/8 and they could declare the innings with a thumping lead.

Overall, the match once again gave glimpses of South Africa’s deficiencies in spinning conditions and against good spinners. The Indian spinners accumulated 18 wickets in the match. De Kock faltered in the match. Van Zyl was the lone positive for the side. Axar Patel displayed his all-round skills to the very best. While, the Indian batsmen didn’t have any apprehension in piling up a big total on the board in their friendly home conditions.

Brief Scores:

1st innings: SA- 260 (Van Zyl 96, Ramela 30; Patel 5/92), IND-417/8 Decl. (Mukund 72, Rayudu 71; Piedt 5/191)

2nd Innings: SA- 76 (De Kock 20, Van Zyl 10; Patel 4/0) lost the match by an innings and 81 runs.