South Africa A achieved a remarkable victory, successfully chasing down a formidable target of 417 runs in the second unofficial Test against a strong India A side. The Proteas’ exceptional performance saw them secure the win with three overs to spare, leaving the Indian bowling attack, which included prominent Test players, in awe. The match, held at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1 in Bengaluru, showcased a thrilling display of batting prowess from the visiting team.
Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin lauded the South African A team for their ‘stellar chase.’ He specifically highlighted the performance of captain Jordan Hermann, who was batting impressively against a potent Indian bowling lineup featuring Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, and Akash Deep. Ashwin noted Hermann’s significant progress in South African cricket, mentioning his involvement in the SA20 league.
The chase began with an solid opening partnership of 156 runs between Jordan Hermann and Lesego Senokwane. While Senokwane provided stability, Hermann played with aggression, maintaining a strike rate of 73.98. Even after Hermann’s dismissal, the South African batting lineup continued to score fluently. Zubayr Hamza contributed a crucial 77 runs off 88 balls, and captain Temba Bavuma added a patient 59. In the tense final stages, Esterhuizen and van Vuuren guided their team to victory, ensuring India A couldn’t force a comeback despite the challenging target and required rate.