India A faced a setback in their match against South Africa A as Rishabh Pant’s quick 17 runs reflected their struggle, scoring 234 all out in 29 minutes. Despite dismissing SA ‘A’ for 309, India A fell short due to off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen’s impressive performance, conceding a 75-run lead.
Teenager Ayush Mhatre stood out with a resilient 65 off 76 balls, while in the second innings, the tourists extended their lead to 105 runs with a score of 30 for no loss. Pant’s return to cricket after three months saw him excel behind the wicket but falter with the bat, getting dismissed after a brief spell at the crease.
Sai Sudharsan struggled for timing, scoring 38 runs before falling to Moreki, while Padikkal and Patidar also failed to make an impact. Mhatre’s standout performance with a composed half-century showcased his technical prowess and confidence, guiding India A to a solid start before a collapse in the second session.
Subrayen’s five-wicket haul, including Mhatre’s dismissal, highlighted his spin prowess, contributing to India A’s downfall. The Proteas spinner expressed his joy at performing well in India, utilizing turn and bounce effectively. Ayush Badoni’s brisk 38 off 47 balls provided some resistance but couldn’t prevent India A from trailing by over 100 runs.
Overall, India A struggled against South Africa A’s bowling attack, with Subrayen’s spin proving to be a significant challenge for the home team.