India A vs South Africa A: 2nd Unofficial One Day, Preview – Focus again on India A batsmen as hosts look to double the lead

The visitors' death bowling was a big letdown in the last match.

Published - 30 Aug 2019, 11:16 IST | Updated - 30 Aug 2019, 11:16 IST

2 Min Read

The first unofficial One Day between India A and South Africa A turned out to be a high-scoring one. However, in the end, the hosts, captained by Manish Pandey, came out trumps by 69 runs. The contest was reduced to 47 overs per side after a wet outfield delayed the start of play. India’s batting was a bit of a concern as a number of their batters weren’t able to convert the starts.

At one point in time, the home team was reduced to 206/6. It was only after the 121-run stand between Shivam Dube and Axar Patel that India A made a comeback. For the visitors, Reeza Hendricks fought with a 110 followed by Heinrich Klaasen’s half-century, but their efforts went in vain. Temba Bavuma and Co would want to make a comeback in the second game and level the series.

Playing Combinations

India A

It’s unlikely that India A will tinker with their winning combination. Ruturaj Gaikwad will want to make amends after he missed out on a decent batting strip. Shubman Gill is generally someone, who carries on after getting set. He would be dejected after being dismissed on 46. Anmolpreet Singh, Manish Pandey and Ishan Kishan got into the 20s and 30s, but couldn’t make the starts count.

Dube would’ve been over the moon after scoring his maiden List A fifty. Axar Patel didn’t put a foot wrong. After his 36-ball 60, he got a couple of wickets, including that of centurion Reeza Hendricks. In the bowling department, Yuzvendra Chahal was the standout, having picked up five wickets. Fast bowler Deepak Chahar was a bit of a disappointment as he leaked runs at 7.11 in his eight overs.

Probable XI

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Anmolpreet Singh, Manish Pandey (C), Axar Patel, Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Krunal Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Deepak Chahar, Khaleel Ahmed

South Africa A

South Africa A may make a few changes. Kyle Verreynne is likely to replace Matthew Breetzke, who got out to Chahal for only six, caught by Kishan. Skipper Bavuma also couldn’t make much of a contribution and was castled by Krunal Pandya. For a chunk of the innings, it was Reeza Hendricks, who held one end up. He was arguably the visiting team’s best bet with the willow in hand.

He perished in the 43rd over and his dismissal sealed the fate of the match. Heinrich Klaasen, who was recently called up to South Africa’s Test squad, wielded the bat to good effect. The keeper got 58 runs from 43 balls with four fours and three sixes. In the bowling unit, the pace-trio of Beuran Hendricks, Junior Dala and Anrich Nortje were expensive. Bjorn Fortuin was impressive though.

Probable XI

Janneman Malan, Reeza Hendricks, Kyle Verreynne, Temba Bavuma (C), Khaya Zondo, Heinrich Klaasen, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Junior Dala, Beuran Hendricks, Anrich Nortje

Focus will be on

Shivam Dube – (India A)

Over the last year or so, Shivam Dube is being deemed as one of the best all-rounders doing the rounds in the Indian domestic circuit. It also fetched him an IPL contract for the RCB. The 79 he got in the last match would keep him in good stead. But he needs to work a tad on his bowling in order to emerge as a genuine all-rounder. On Thursday, he conceded 20 runs in the two overs he bowled.

Temba Bavuma – (South Africa A)

At the international circuit, Temba Bavuma has shown that he can stave off the best in the business. The pocket-size dynamite was up for a tough task in the first game. After the fall of a couple of wickets, the skipper of the A team was expected to steady the ship. Unfortunately, he couldn’t. In the next game, Bavuma has to be a little more proactive if South Africa A are to make a comeback.