South Africa A pulled off a stunning victory, chasing down 417 runs to beat India A by 5 wickets in the second unofficial Test at Bengaluru’s BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground. This was a record chase in first-class cricket for South Africa A, achieved without any batsman scoring a century in the final innings. The visitors leveled the two-match series 1-1 after India A had won the first Test. Despite Dhruv Jurel’s heroic twin hundreds (132 and 127 not out), South Africa A’s batting depth proved decisive on the final day.
Match Scorecard
| Team | First Innings | Second Innings | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| India A | 255 (77.1 overs) | 382/7 declared (89.2 overs) | Lost by 5 wickets |
| South Africa A | 221 (47.3 overs) | 417/5 (98 overs) | Won (Target: 417) |
Match Details:
- Venue: BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1, Bengaluru
- Dates: November 6-9, 2025
- Toss: South Africa A chose to field
- Player of the Match: Marques Ackerman
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dhruv Jurel | India A | Wicketkeeper-Batsman | 132 (175) & 127* (170) – Twin hundreds |
| Marques Ackerman | South Africa A | Batsman | 134 (118) & 24 (26) – Player of the Match |
| Zubayr Hamza | South Africa A | Batsman | 77 (88) in 2nd innings chase |
| Jordan Hermann | South Africa A | Opener | 91 (123) in 2nd innings |
| Temba Bavuma | South Africa A | Captain | 59 (101) in 2nd innings |
| Lesego Senokwane | South Africa A | Opener | 77 (174) in 2nd innings |
| Prasidh Krishna | India A | Fast Bowler | 3/35 in 1st innings |
| Tiaan van Vuuren | South Africa A | Bowler | 4/52 in 1st innings |
Key Moments
- Day 1: India A struggled to 255 all out with Dhruv Jurel’s unbeaten 132 rescuing the innings after early collapse. Van Vuuren took 4 wickets.
- Day 2: Marques Ackerman blasted a brilliant 134 off just 118 balls with 17 fours and 5 sixes. Indian fast bowlers Prasidh Krishna (3/35), Mohammed Siraj (2/61), and Akash Deep (2/28) restricted South Africa A to 221, giving India a 34-run first-innings lead.
- Day 2-3: Dhruv Jurel struck his second century of the match (127 not out), combining with Harsh Dubey (84) and Rishabh Pant (65) as India A declared at 382/7, setting a target of 417.
- Day 4: South Africa A’s openers put on a 156-run opening stand, with Jordan Hermann scoring 91 and Lesego Senokwane making 77. Zubayr Hamza added a quick-fire 77, while captain Temba Bavuma contributed 59. Connor Esterhuizen (52 not out) and Tiaan van Vuuren (20 not out) sealed the historic chase.
Match Analysis
This match showcased contrasting fortunes. Dhruv Jurel strengthened his case for a Test spot with his fifth first-class century and second of the match, demonstrating excellent technique and temperament under pressure. However, India A’s inability to defend 417 runs exposed their bowling limitations on a pitch that eased out as the match progressed.
South Africa A’s chase was remarkable for its team effort. Multiple batsmen contributed rather than relying on one big score, showing excellent maturity and game awareness. The opening partnership laid the foundation, while the middle order accelerated when needed. The chase was a record for South Africa A in first-class cricket.
India A will rue missed opportunities with the ball on the final day. Despite having quality bowlers like Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep, they couldn’t create enough pressure. The spinners, Kuldeep Yadav and Harsh Dubey, also failed to make breakthroughs on a wearing pitch.
What’s Next
Both teams will take valuable lessons from this closely contested series. For India A players like Dhruv Jurel, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Mohammed Siraj, and Kuldeep Yadav, this was crucial preparation ahead of the two-match Test series against South Africa starting November 14 in Kolkata.
Several Test stars featured in this match to gear up for the upcoming two-match series against South Africa starting from November 14. South Africa A captain Temba Bavuma also used this match to regain fitness and form after injury, returning with a solid 59 in the second innings.
The series ends 1-1, with both teams showing they have depth and quality. South Africa A’s successful chase will give them tremendous confidence, while India A will need to address their bowling concerns in high-pressure situations.