South Africa A produced a sensational team effort to chase down a mammoth target of 417 runs against India A in the second and final unofficial Test at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru, and set a new record in ‘A’ Test cricket.
South Africa A won the second unofficial Test match by five wickets to level the series 1–1, as India A won the first unofficial Test match by three wickets. Interestingly, no individual batsman scored a century during South Africa’s record chase, highlighting their incredible collective effort.
South Africa A leveled the series by achieving a record target of 417 runs against India A.
Each player contributed crucial runs as South Africa A scored the most successful target chase in an ‘A’ Test by scoring a half-century with five players against India A at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru. With this memorable target, South Africa A chased down the previous highest successful target in an ‘A’ Test, which was 412 by India A against Australia A in Lucknow recently.
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Jordan Harman chased down the target with a brilliant 91 off 123 balls, while Lesego Senokwane (77 off 174 balls), Zubair Hamza (77 off 88 balls), Temba Bavuma (59 off 101 balls) and Connor Esterhuizen (52 off 53 balls) stunned the Indian bowling attack with their composure and intent.
Tian Van Vuuren and Marques Ackerman also contributed 20+ runs in the successful chase. Two partnerships of more than 100 runs in Bengaluru completely changed the course of the game. Krishna, famous for taking two wickets against South Africa A, was the best bowler for India.
Earlier, India A dominated the field, taking a lead of 34 runs in the first innings and declared their second innings at 382 for seven. However, South Africa A remained focused and organised, reducing the deficit consistently over almost three and a half sessions and winning the game in the final session.
South Africa A chases record-breaking target
Meanwhile, South Africa A created history in first-class cricket by successfully chasing 417 runs against India A in Bengaluru. This remarkable achievement marked his most successful chase to date.
Previously, South Africa A’s top scores included 295 against The Rest in Pretoria in 2003 and 217 against Matabeleland Select XI in Bulawayo in 1994.
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When it comes to successful target chasing against India A, South Africa A is now ahead with a target of 417 runs in Bengaluru. The previous highest score was 254 by England A at Kolkata in 1994, followed by 225 by Australia A at Mackay in 2024.
Aakash Chopra wants both Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel in Kolkata Test XI
Now, the senior teams will face each other in a two-match Test series, followed by three ODIs and five T20Is. The first Test will start on November 14 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Ahead of the Kolkata Test, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra wants both Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel to be included in India’s XI against the WTC champions.
“The team has been selected, and both Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant are there. Rishabh Pant will play. Rishabh Pant is the vice-captain. So, he is going to play, and he should play. If you talk about Test cricket, he is a generational talent, but I think Dhruv Jurel should also be played. There should be a place for him in the XI,” Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.
