Rishabh Pant marked his much-anticipated red-ball comeback with a sparkling 90 that carried India A to a hard-fought three-wicket win over South Africa A in the opening four-day match on Sunday. The India captain’s knock, laced with authority and aggression, set the tone for a spirited chase as the hosts overhauled a target of 275 to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Resuming the final morning at a precarious 119 for four, India A still needed 166 runs to win. Pant (90 off 113 balls, 11 fours, 4 sixes) and Ayush Badoni (34 off 47) counterattacked with intent, stitching a brisk 63-run stand that swung momentum India’s way. Pant began the day in typically flamboyant fashion, taking 14 runs off Okuhle Cele’s opening over — including a one-handed six and a pair of deft late cuts.
As the pair kept the scoreboard ticking at six runs an over, South Africa A were forced to abandon their fuller lengths and resort to short-pitched bowling. The change in tactic eventually worked, as Pant, hurried by a sharp bouncer from Tiaan van Vuuren, miscued a pull to Lesego Senokwane at slip after earlier being dropped on 80. Still, the wicketkeeper-batter’s effort, coupled with his 139 overs behind the stumps earlier in the match, will no doubt please selectors ahead of India’s upcoming Test series against South Africa later this month.
Badoni fell soon after, top-edging a bouncer to fine leg, while Tanush Kotian (23 off 30) perished before lunch attempting a pull shot. India A added 101 runs in the first session but slipped to 216 for seven, still 59 runs adrift of victory.
The script then turned to the lower order. Manav Suthar (20 not out) and Anshul Kamboj (37 not out) dug in with a mix of courage and counterpunch. Kamboj, struck on the helmet by van Vuuren, responded defiantly with a six and a four off the very next deliveries. Later, Suthar too was struck on the shoulder but held firm, displaying admirable resolve.
Their unbeaten 60-run partnership took India A home in nervy fashion, with Suthar sealing victory by lofting Prenelan Subrayen over mid-wicket for a boundary. The win not only underscored India A’s fighting depth but also reaffirmed Pant’s readiness for red-ball cricket after his long injury layoff.
The second four-day match will be played at the BCCI Centre of Excellence grounds from Thursday, with India A eyeing a series sweep.
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