Continuing his fine form from the recently concluded tri-series against South Africa A and Australia A, India A opener Mayank Agarwal scored a 49-ball 87 to steer his team towards a comfortable 8-wicket win over South Africa on a hot and humid Tuesday at the Palam cricket ground.
The hosts were given a challenging total of 190 runs on a good pitch that had even bounce, Indian team were easily home with two balls to spare courtesy 119-run opening wicket stand between Mayank Agarwal and Manan Vohra who scored 56 off 42 balls. Mayank who has been practising at this ground for his IPl team Delhi Daredevils knew the pitch well and was comfortable and relaxed playing his shot and executing them to perfection.
Mayank and Manan's 100 plus stand in just 12.4 overs sealed the deal as South African pacers Kyle Abbott, Chris Morris and Kagiso Rabada found it difficult to bowl in hot and humid conditions. Mayank, who has been in some excellent form this season, was once again an asset for the team. For India, Manan Vohra was first to go back to pavilion after he was caught by Behardien off Duminy in the 12th over. Mayank however continued the team momentum and built 52-run partnership with Sanju Samson (31 not out) for the second wicket. Following Vohra was star batsman Mayank Agarwal who was closing on his century was caught by Miller in deep mid-wicket area off Marchant De lange in the 17th over.
Even Proteas spinners Imran Tahir and Eddie leie could not provide the early strikes while boundaries came with ease for the Indian batsman.
Earlier in morning, South Africa won the toss and decided to bat. Proteas lost their opener Quinton de Kock who was run out by captain Mandeep Singh at mid-off in the first over. Following him was David Miller who was also dismissed cheaply for 10 runs when he was bowled by Hardik Pandya.
After that AB de Villiers and their captain Faf du Plessis added 87-run stand among them for the second wicket. Mid way though the first innings Faf decided to retired out to make for JP Duminy to come and take on the Indian bowling attack. Rishi Dhawan (0/33) in three overs and Anureet Singh (0/49) in four overs were expensive.
Proteas skipper made a quick fire 42 off 27 balls which included seven fours and maestro AB de Villiers contributed 36 off 27 balls. AB showed his master class hitting two huge sixes and three fours but was eventually out in the 10th over caught by Pawan Negi off Kuldeep Yadav when he tried to sweep a short pitch ball to long-on area. After AB, Duminy took charge and made sure that the run rate would not come down and the Delhi Daredevils captain just did that when he hit six huge sixes, which also included his sweep shot six in the off-side area which went out of the ground onto the main road. Spectators sure loved that which was evident from the loud cheering from the audience watching the match from outside. Duminy then had an important partnership of 83-runs for the fourth wicket with Farhaan Behardien (17*) towards the end of the innings.
Brief Scores
SA:189/3 (Duminy 68 not out, du Plessis 42) lose to India A: 193/2 (Agarwal 87, Vohra 56) by 8 wickets.