By Stuart Judge
The series is of vital importance to help our players adjust to Indian conditions. Historically, most South African batters have struggled to play spin in the sub-continent. The overarching purpose of the series is to prepare our players for the upcoming tour of India that is taking place in November.
India had selected experienced international players in their lineup, such as Rishabh Pant (as their captain and wicketkeeper), Devdutt Padikkal and Khaleel Ahmed.
The following players were named in the starting lineup for South Africa A: Jordan Hermann, Lesego Senokwane, Zubayr Hamza, Marcques Ackerman (Captain), Rubin Herman, Rivaldo Moonsamy (Wk), Tiaan Van Vuuren, Prenelan Subrayen, Tshepo Moreki, Lutho Sipamla and Okhule Cele.
Day 1
The first four-day match began with India winning the toss and electing to bowl first at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. South Africa ended the day on 299/9, with Cele the only batter yet to come.
The ball swung from the outset as Jordan Hermann and Lesego Senokwane opened the innings. Senokwane was first to fall, driving at a wide outswinger from Kambooj and edging to first slip. Zubayr Hamza joined Hermann at the crease, and the pair produced a vital 130-run partnership off 197 balls to stabilise the innings.
Hamza played positively, using his feet well to the spinners and timing his drives and cuts superbly. He struck nine fours and a six in his 66 (109 balls) before miscuing a cut shot off Gurnoor to Pant. At his dismissal, South Africa were 136/2 in the 35th over.
Hermann continued confidently, reaching 71 off 140 balls (8 fours) before being adjudged lbw to Koitan in the 49th over – though he appeared convinced the ball had struck his bat first. His innings featured fluent drives through point and mid-wicket, along with clever use of the reverse and paddle sweep.
Rubin Hermann added 54 off 87 balls, showing excellent touch against the spinners. He played late, picked his shots well, and struck two lovely boundaries off Khaleel Ahmed before being bowled by a quicker delivery from Koitan. Tiaan van Vuuren contributed a valuable 46 off 75 (5 fours, 1 six) in a 72-run stand with Rubin before being caught at slip attempting a sweep.
Lutho Sipamla was the final wicket to fall, trapped lbw by Khaleel Ahmed, leaving South Africa just short of 300.
Day 2
South Africa added only 10 runs in the morning to finish on 309. India A’s openers, Sudharsan and Mhatre, put on a solid 90-run opening stand before Prenelan Subrayen sparked a collapse with an outstanding five-wicket haul (5/61).
Mhatre scored 65 before chipping to mid-wicket, and Paddikal followed soon after for 6. Moreki then found Sudharsan’s edge, brilliantly caught by Moonsamy for 32. Cele dismissed Pant with a sharp bouncer that ballooned to Hamza at short mid-wicket.
Subrayen continued to torment the middle order, bowling Paditar through the gate and later having one taken sharply at backward-point by Senokwane. Van Vuuren joined the act by removing Suthar (4) with a mistimed pull to the fielder, and Sipamla dismissed Kambooj (5), who guided it to fine leg. A superb catch from Rubin Hermann at deep square leg accounted for Badoni (38), before Subrayen wrapped up the innings by removing Khaleel Ahmed.
India A were bowled out for 229, trailing by 75. South Africa closed the day on 28/0, with Jordan Hermann (12) and Senokwane (9) seeing off the new ball.
Day 3
Resuming on 28/0, South Africa lost Jordan Hermann early for 12, caught by Suthar off Gurnoor. Hamza batted positively again for 37 off 30 (8 fours) in a 54-run stand with Senokwane, before falling to Suthar. Senokwane’s patient 37 off 83 (7 fours) ended with South Africa on 104/4 after 28 overs.
Three quick wickets then fell for just 31 runs, leaving the visitors 135/7. Tshepo Moreki provided some lower-order resistance, scoring 25 off 24 (3 fours), but South Africa were eventually bowled out for 199, setting India a target of 277.
Day 3–4: India’s 2nd Innings
South Africa began brightly, reducing India to 32/3 thanks to disciplined bowling from the seamers. However, Pant and Paditar turned the game around with a crucial 87-run partnership. Van Vuuren broke it by dismissing Paditar (28), but Pant continued to dominate, smashing 90 off 113 balls – 68 of those runs coming in boundaries.
Van Vuuren eventually dismissed him, caught by Senokwane, but India were well on course at 172/5 after 49 overs. Badoni (34) and Kambooj (37) guided India home to a three-wicket victory.
Despite the loss, there were plenty of positives. Moreki (2/33 in 14 overs, econ 2.36) and Sipamla (1/37 in 14, econ 2.64) bowled with control, while Van Vuuren impressed with 3/56 from 12 overs, capping off a strong all-round performance.
Although South Africa A fell short, this match offered valuable lessons and confidence for the remainder of the series.
