Skipper Rishabh Pant’s unbeaten fifty laced with impudence, patience and fortune held India ‘A’ together, taking them to 119 for four against South Africa ‘A’ on the penultimate day of the four-day match here on Saturday.
India still need 166 runs to scale down the target of 275, after South Africa, overnight 30 for no loss, were bundled out for 199 in their second innings.
Pant (64 not out, 81 balls, 8×4, 2×6) and Ayush Badoni (0) were at the crease at stumps, and the former will have to play a vital role in getting India ‘A’ closer home on Sunday.
The wicketkeeper-batter joined Rajat Patidar (28) in the middle when the South Africans were bowling like wind, troubling the batters with pace and bounce.
At one stage, India were 32 for three, having lost Ayush Mhatre, Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal. But Pant, who added 77 runs for a gritty fourth-wicket stand, faced the situation with characteristic gusto, pulling Cele and then carting off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen for a six over covers.
He was not merely looking to hang on but wanted to stamp his authority to bring his side back into contention.
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