A distinct lack of application from India ‘A’ batsmen saw the hosts staring at a defeat against South Africa ‘A’ at the end of a rain-hit third day of the first unofficial ‘Test’, here on Thursday.
Needing 392 runs to avoid follow-on after South Africa posted a mammoth 542 in their first innings, India A were shot out for a meagre 204 in 66.3 overs in their first essay, thereby conceding a huge lead of 338 runs.
For the visitors, off-spinner Dane Piedt (5/88) was the wrecker-in-chief and was a far better bowler on view as compared to the Indian duo of Axar Patel and Jayant Yadav.
The South Africa A team then decided against enforcing a follow-on and scored 105 for one declared to set up a gigantic victory target of 444 for the hosts.
In reply, Indians were 73 for two at stumps, needing another 371 runs on the final day to win the match.
As of now an India A win is completely out of question but it will be interesting to see whether the likes of Ambati Rayudu, Abhinav Mukund and Karun Nair can at least earn a draw.
It was the third consecutive day where South Africans completely dominated as Indian first innings turned out to be a total disaster.
Starting the day on 122 for three, the remaining seven wickets fell for a mere 82 runs.
It was Karun Nair (9), who was first to go, beaten by a flighted off-break from Piedt to get leg before. All-rounder Vijay Shankar (3) was done in by sheer pace from Dane Paterson as he was also adjudged leg before.
India’s innings ended in 66.3 overs after which South Africa gave their bowlers some respite to help themselves post an massive victory target.
Brief Scores
South Africa A: 542 & 105/1 lead India A: 204 (Rayudu 46, Iyer 49; Piedt 5/85) & 73/2 (Mukund 32 not out, Bains 27; Keshav 1/24) by 338 runs.