India A vs South Africa A, 1st Unofficial Test, Day 4, Review: Siraj-led pace attack powers India A to clinical triumph

Siraj ended with ten wickets in the match.

Published - 07 Aug 2018, 20:33 IST | Updated - 07 Aug 2018, 20:33 IST

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Mohammed Siraj wreaked havoc with three early wickets as South Africa A tried to save the match with approximately four sessions remaining in the encounter. However, Zubayr Hamza and Senuran Muthusamy restored sanity to proceedings with a partnership of 86 runs. The stand was broken by Siraj in the dying stages of the day’s play courtesy of a decent catch by Hanuma Vihari.

Thereafter the visiting team kept losing wickets frequently and India A stormed to victory by an innings and 30 runs in the first unofficial Test in Bangalore. The visitors started their day with an overnight score of 99/4 with 229 runs ahead of them. Hamza and Rudi Second were the overnight batsmen and they started off steadily, Rajneesh Gurbani picked up India’s first wicket of the day.

Second’s knock goes in vain

Nevertheless, Shaun von Berg and Second put on 119 runs for the fifth wicket to reignite their hopes of denying India a victory. The ominous looking pair was separated by Gurbani after von Berg scored an impressive half-century in 175 deliveries. At the other end, Second went on his own merry way and raced towards a ton. Dane Piedt staved off the Indian attack and played out 37 balls.

Navdeep Saini pinned Piedt to make India A the firm favourites to win the encounter. Just when it seemed that Second is determined enough to single-handedly shoulder the home team to glory, Yuzvendra Chahal pulled a rabbit out of the hat and trapped him right in front of the stumps for 94 runs. Beuran Hendricks and Duanne Olivier tried their hearts out but couldn’t save the day for South Africa.