IND-A vs SA-A | Top-order marathons and lower-order blitz powers South Africa to stunning 417-run chase

Gantavya Adukia

ByGantavya Adukia,SportsCafe Editor

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South Africa A accomplished the sixth-highest run chase on Indian soil ever, at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Thursday, as they scored at over four an over to get to 417 with five wickets to spare. Their top-four all scored fifties, before Connor Esterhuizen's rapid 52 sealed the win.

Temba Bavuma and Zubayr Hamza shared a pivotal 107-run stand that set up a late burst for victory for South Africa A against India A in Bengaluru

Resuming from an overnight score of 25/0 in pursuit of 417, South Africa A openers Jordan Hermann and Lesego Senokwane looked comfortable against India's Test pace trio of Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna in the first session. The few edges that were induced did not carry as Hermann took a particular liking for Akash Deep, taking the pacer for four boundaries to bring up a 73-ball half-century. Senokwane was more sedate as his came off 113 balls but the team scored at well over four while allowing the hosts no breakthrough, as they headed into Lunch in a commanding position of 139/0.

The stand had grown to 156 when Hermann finally gave India A an opening by smashing a Krishna full-toss straight back at him to miss out on a ton by just nine runs. The wicket inspired Siraj to deliver one of his theatrical spells, the Indian quick renewing his dominance over Senokwane from the previous evening with another series of plays and misses along with a few heated words. The opener crumbled under the heat and soon after was pinned plumb by Harsh Dubey a few minutes before Tea, the score at the break 219/2 with 198 required for victory in the final session.

Test skipper Temba Bavuma took his time to dig in but Hamza was intent for the win as he went hard after Kuldeep Yadav and Dube, smashing nine boundaries and three maximums in his 88-ball 77. When Krishna finally got the better oof him to break a 107-run stand, their rivals had already surpassed 300 with Bavuma settled in. The veteran went on to rack up a half-century while captain for the game Marques Ackerman took on the role of aggressor, smashing four boundaries in his 24. However, just when the win was beginning to look inevitable, Siraj and Akash Deep removed the duo in quick succession to offer India a glimpse. Connor Esterhuizen quickly rubbished those notions with a blistering takedown of the Indian attack, striking eight fours and a maximum in a match-winning 65-run stand with Tiaan van Vuuren in just 52 deliveries to seal an improbable victory in the fading light.

About time 

Incredible scenes

One and only 

Historic

Superb

Huge boost 

Wow!

SA on fire

Unreal

Fantastic

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