India A drew their second unofficial test with South Africa A in Mysuru. That meant that they clinched the two match series by one game to nil, having triumphed in the first match in Thiruvanthapuram.
The draw seemed an inevitable outcome after the first three days, which had seen India A make 417 all out in their first innings, with Shubman Gill, Karun Nair, Wriddiham Saha, and Shivam Dube all making noticeable contributions with the bat. However, despite reducing South Africa t0 142 – 5 ay one stage, the visitors fought back in the shape of their captain Aiden Markram, and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, who both pressed their credentials for inclusion in the forthcoming test series with big hundreds.
Thanks to their efforts, South Africa A’s deficit on first innings was only 17, which India A’s openers had extended by a further 14 runs at close of play on the third day.
With the only chance of forcing a result depending on contrivance, India A decided to use the final day for batting practice instead, the main beneficiary of which was opening batsman Priyank Panchal, who scored a century. The 29 year old put on 94 for the first wicket with Abhmimanya Easwaran, who, after failing in the first innings, was keen to catch the selectors’ eye second time round.
However, he fell for 37, bowled by Dane Piedt, and there was disappointment for another test hopeful, Shubman Gill, who followed up his 92 in the first innings, with a duck, caught by Senuran Muthusamy, with Piedt again the bowler.
However, Nair, who had made 78 in the first innings joined Panchal in the middle, and the pair shared a stand of 92 for the third wicket. Panchal, who had scored 109 off 192 balls, including 4 sixes, and 9 fours, was caught and bowled Muthusamy, and although Saha came to the crease to join Nair, he struggled to get going, scoring just one run from 33 balls.
At the other end Nair had reached his half-century, but, with India A at 202 – 3, and all chances of a result gone, both skippers shook hands and settled on the draw. Nair was undefeated on 51 not out.
It remains to be seen what either set of test selectors derived from the match. Gill and Nair underlined their batting credentials for India, whilst Markram’s return to form will be highly appreciated by South Africa.
