India A will take on South Africa A in the first unofficial Test starting October 30, with Rishabh Pant making his long-awaited return to competitive cricket as captain. The four-day match will give Pant a chance to regain match fitness after his foot injury during the England series earlier this year.
Sai Sudharsan, India's current Test No.3, has been named vice-captain and will look to build confidence ahead of the main Test series next month.
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The first match squad features several young and fringe players like Ayush Mhatre, Tanush Kotian, and Ayush Badoni, offering them red-ball exposure before senior players such as KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj join for the second game.
Here is the match-day live blog with scores, highlights, and updates.
India A vs South Africa A, 1st unofficial Test, Day 2: Live score updates
5:05 pm: SA post 28 runs without losing a wicket as India A lead by 103 runs at Stumps on Day 2. South Africans have dominated the day.
4:00 pm: India is bundled for 234 runs after a spirited five-fer for Prenelan Subrayen. The off-spinner finishes with figures of 5/61 in 22 overs. Ayush Badoni added a fighting 38(47), before he was dismissed for 38(47) by Sipamla, who took 2/35.
2:00 pm: Sai Sudharsan falls for 32(94) alongside a short outing for Devdutt Padikkal, who falls for 6(22).
11:40 am: Steady start for India A as the young 18-year-old Ayush Mhatre scores a fifty on his first game for the side. India A 71/0 at the end of 17 overs
10:15 am: Gurnoor Brar applies the finishing touch for India as South Africa A is bowled out for 309
9:00 am: After an enthralling first day's play at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, which saw 9 Proteas wickets falling, all eyes will be on India A's skipper Rishabh Pant as the sides take to the field on Day 2.
Pant is making a return to competitive cricket after a long injury layoff.
India A vs South Africa A, 1st unofficial Test, Day 1: Live score updates
5:00 pm: Stumps! South Africa A 297/9 at stumps. Zubayr Hamza scored 66(109) and Rubin Hemann got 54(87) before being dismissed. Tanush Kotian was India's pick of the bowlers with his 4/83 (23).
03:35 pm: Tanush Kotian picks 2 wickets, as South Africa A loses half their side. South Africa A 225/5 at the end of 63 overs.
01:15 pm: Gurnoor Brar provides India a breakthrough as he dismisses the well-set Zubayr Hamza for 66. South Africa A 158/2 at the end of 40 overs
11:30 am: South Africa A had a shaky start after losing an early wicket, but the pair of Zubayr Hamza and Jordan Hermann steadied the innings beautifully.
Both batters batted comfortably as they guided their side to 108/1 in 27 overs at lunch. Hamza remained unbeaten on 56, while Hermann held firm on 42.
09:00 am: India A wins the toss and opts to field first.
The series opener between India A and South Africa A is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. (IST), With the toss scheduled at 9:00 a.m.
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the first unofficial Test between India A and South Africa A at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground in Bengaluru .
India A vs South Africa A, 1st unofficial Test: Betting Odds
According to Dafabet, India A are the favourites to win this match.
| Odds* (click here to bet) | |
| India A | 2.30 |
| South Africa A | 1.59 |
India A vs South Africa A, 1st unofficial Test: Confirmed XI
India A: Sai Sudharsan, Ayush Mhatre, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Rishabh Pant (c) (wk), Ayush Badoni, Tanush Kotian, Anshul Kamboj, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Khaleel Ahmed
South Africa A: Jordan Hermann, Lesego Senokwane, Marques Ackerman (c), Zubayr Hamza, Rubin Hermann, Rivaldo Moonsamy (wk), Tiaan van Vuuren, Prenelan Subrayen, Tshepo Moreki, Lutho Sipamla, Okuhle Cele
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