Pant keeps India-A in the hunt

India-A captain Rishabh Pant produced a stunning display of batting on a sporting wicket, smashing an unbeaten (64 batting, 81b, 8×4, 2×6), to bail his side out from early trouble on the penultimate day of the first multi-day match against South Africa-A at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Grounds here on Saturday.

Chasing 275 for victory, India-A was in early trouble as pacers Tshepo Moreki and Okuhle Cele struck thrice in quick succession. Openers Sai Sudharsan and Ayush Mhatre struggled at the crease, with Mhatre dragging one onto his stumps in the third over.

Devdutt Padikkal soon followed, also chopping on, leaving the hosts reeling at 19 for two at tea. After the break, Sudharsan was trapped in front by Moreki, and India-A found itself precariously placed at 32 for three.

Then came Pant. From the outset, he showcased an array of powerful drives down the ground, ferocious pulls, and towering sixes off off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen, while also punishing the pacers. At the other end, Rajat Patidar provided stability with calm and measured strokes, as the duo steadily wrested momentum back in their side’s favour.

However, just before the close of play, Patidar attempted a ramp shot off a short delivery and only managed a faint edge to the keeper, ending their 87-run third-wicket stand as India-A finished the day at 119 for four.

Earlier, Medium-pacer Gurnoor Brar made an early breakthrough, dismissing opener Jordan Hermann at mid-wicket in the first over of the morning. Zubayr Hamza counter-attacked, smashing five fours off Brar in the 16th over, but left-arm spinner Manav Suthar broke the 54-run second-wicket partnership, castling Hamza.

Off-spinner Tanush Kotian then removed the opener Lesogo Senokwane and Rubin Hermann in quick succession. While pacer Anshul Kamboj accounted for Tiaan Van Vuuren and Rivaldo Moonsamy, leaving the visitor at 135 for seven.

However, a 42-run eighth-wicket partnership between Subrayen and Moreki took their side’s lead past 250, before Kotian dismissed both batsmen, and Brar wrapped up the innings by sending back Cele.

The scores: South Africa-A 309 in 91.2 overs & 199 in 48.1 overs (Tanush Kotian 4/26) vs India-A 234 & 119/4 in 39 overs (Rishabh Pant 64 batting).