India A vs South Africa A, 1st Unofficial Test, Day 1, Review: Mohammed Siraj ensures home team commands control

The first of the two four-day matches between India A and South Africa A commenced today at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The visitors were lucky to win the toss as they didn’t waste any time in opting to bat first on a surface which is expected to crumble later in the game. Rudi Second starred for them with the bat who came in to bat at number 6 in a precarious situation. However, the pick of the bowlers for India A was Mohammed Siraj who picked wickets at crucial junctures.

The openers Pieter Malan and Sarel Erwee couldn’t get their team off to a good start as the former nicked a good delivery to the wicketkeeper. Soon the same bowler sent back their first drop batsman Zubayr Hamza for a three-ball duck. But then came a rebuilding stand between Erwee and the skipper Khaya Zondo. Both added 50 runs for the third wicket but then Navdeep Saini brought his ‘A’ game to the fore to scalp the latter.

Rudi stabilises the innings

Even Erwee was sent back by Rajnesh Gurbani to bring Rudi Second to the crease. He along with Senuran Muthusamy stitched 59 runs before the latter was foxed by Saini again. Every time the visitors looked set for a big partnership, a wicket would fall and the same happened with Shaun von Berg. A promising stand between him and Rudi was broken by Yuzvendra Chahal even Dane Piedt was sent back quickly to reduce South Africa A to 209/7.

Meanwhile, Rudi Second was playing exceptionally well. His footwork against the spinners was exceptional and didn’t deter with the wickets falling at the other end. Just when he was set to get to a well-deserved ton, Siraj dismissed him. After choosing to bat first, South Africa A ended the day on 246/8 which could’ve been a lot worse if not for a 94-run knock from Rudi.

For India A, Siraj was the best bowlers with the figures of 3/56. His companions Gurbani and Saini picked a couple each while the leggie Chahal scalped a wicket as well. The hosts would look to skittle them out early on day 2 and pile on a big total.

Brief Scores

South Africa A 246/8 after 88 overs (R Second 94, S Erwee 47; M Siraj 3/56, R Gurbani 2/47)

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