South Africa A pulled off a sensational team effort to achieve a massive target of 417 runs against India A, setting a new record in ‘A’ Test cricket, in the second and final unofficial Test at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bangalore.
India A won the first unofficial Test match by 3 wickets, while South Africa A won the second unofficial Test match by 5 wickets, leveling the series at 1-1. Interestingly, while chasing South Africa’s record, no individual batsman scored a century, which highlights their incredible collective effort.
South Africa A complete record 417-run chase to advance to series against India A
Five players scored fifties in the match against India A at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bangalore, with each player contributing a significant score as South Africa A posted the highest chase success record in an ‘A’ Test. With this monumental chase, South Africa A surpassed the previous record for highest chase success in an ‘A’ Test, which was 412 between India A and Australia A in Lucknow recently.
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Jordan Harman led the way with a stunning knock of 91 runs off 123 balls, while Lesego Senokwane (77 runs off 174 balls), Zubair Hamza (77 runs off 88 balls), Themba Bavuma (59 runs off 101 balls) and Connor Esterhuizen (52 runs off 53 balls) stunned the Indian bowling attack with their grit and intent.
Tian van Vuuren and Marquez Ackermann also contributed to more than 20 points with successful pursuits. The two 100-run partnerships completely changed the course of the match in Bangalore. Prasidh Krishan was the outstanding bowler for India with two skulls against South Africa A.
Until then, India A had been dominant, taking a 34-run lead in the first innings and declaring 382 for 7 in the second innings. However, South Africa A remained focused and methodical and steadily overcame the deficit over the almost three-and-a-half hour session to emerge victorious in the final session.
Record-breaking chase by South Africa A
Meanwhile, South Africa A created history in first-class cricket by successfully chasing down 417 runs against India A in Bangalore. This amazing achievement marked the highest success in their tracking history.
Previous South African A team scoring records include 295 against The Rest in Pretoria in 2003 and 217 against Matabeleland Select XI in Bulawayo in 1994.
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In terms of chasing success against India A, South Africa A are leading with 417 points chasing in Bangalore. The previous highest score was 254 points scored by England A in Kolkata in 1994, followed by 225 points scored by Australia A in Mackay in 2024.
Aakash Chopra wets both Rishabh pant and Dhruv Jhurel in Kolkata Test 11
Currently, the senior teams will play against each other in a two-match Test series, followed by three ODIs and five T20Is. The first Test will begin on November 14 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Ahead of the Kolkata Test, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra wants both Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jhuler to feature in India’s squad against the WTC champions.
Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel, “The team is set. We have both Dhruv Jhullel and Rishabh Pant. Rishabh Pant will be playing. Rishabh Pant is the vice-captain. So he will play and he should play. If you talk about Test cricket, he is a generational talent, but I think Dhruv Jhullel should also play. There should be a place for him in the eleven.”