IND A vs SA A: Ruturaj Gaikwad once again showed his class as a fine century from him helped India A defeat South Africa A by four wickets in the first unofficial ODI at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. Chasing a target of 286, India A completed the chase with three balls remaining to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Anchors India A’s Chase
Opening the batting for the first time in the series, Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 117 off 108 deliveries, dotted with 12 boundaries, to lead India A to victory. He performed a unique demonstration of targeted aggression and temperament, consolidating the innings through a series of partnerships.
First, he shared 64 runs with Abhishek Sharma (31 off 25 balls), and then stitched an important 89-run stand with Tilak Varma (39 off 58 balls) for the third wicket. The opener’s silken stroke play kept the scoreboard going even as wickets tumbled at the other end.
After the brisk beginning of Abhishek came to an end with him being removed by Bjorn Fortuin in the final over of the powerplay, Riyan Parag fell cheaply to Tiaan van Vuuren to put India A under pressure. But the calm presence of Gaikwad steadied the innings once again.
Lower-Order Resilience Seals the Win In IND A vs SA A
When Gaikwad was finally bowled by van Vuuren in the 41st over, India A still needed 67 runs with five wickets in hand. The middle and lower order then took charge Nitish Kumar Reddy (37) and Nishant Sindhu (29) combined for a vital 65-run stand for the sixth wicket, taking India A close to victory.
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The partnership between them saw the hosts through in 49.3 overs and sealed a comfortable victory in what had appeared an tricky chase earlier.
Potgieter and Forrester Rescue South Africa A
Earlier, South Africa A were in deep trouble after being reduced to 53 for 5 inside the first 10 overs. However, a brilliant fightback led by Delano Potgieter (90) and Dian Forrester (77) helped the visitors recover to a competitive total of 285/9.
The duo stitched a 113-run partnership off 124 balls for the sixth wicket. Even after Riyan Parag broke the stand by removing Forrester, Bjorn Fortuin (59 off 56) joined Potgieter for another crucial 87-run partnership that frustrated India’s bowlers.
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When Nitish Reddy dismissed Potgieter, India A regained momentum, with Harshit Rana striking twice in the lower order to wrap up the innings.
Early Strikes from Arshdeep and Prasidh
India A’s new ball bowlers struck early as Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna pegged back South Africa A’s top order.
Arshdeep removed Rubin Hermann in the first over and later accounted for Rivaldo Moonsamy.
A sharp fielding by Tilak Varma produced a run-out to dismiss Jordan Hermann.
Prasidh Krishna removed Marques Ackerman to reduce South Africa to 10 for 3.
Nishant Sindhu also contributed with the ball, having Sinethemba Qeshile stumped to leave the visitors tottering before Potgieter and Forrester’s recovery act.
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South Africa A: 285/9 in 50 overs (Delano Potgieter 90, Dian Forrester 77, Bjorn Fortuin 59; Harshit Rana 2/49) India A: 290/6 in 49.3 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 117, Tilak Varma 39, Nitish Kumar Reddy 37; Bjorn Fortuin 2/50) Result: India A won by 4 wickets
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