2nd unofficial Test: India A lead by 112 runs
What's the story
India A ended Day 2 of the 2nd unofficial Test against South Africa A with a healthy lead of 112 runs in Bengaluru. The hosts, after bowling out their opponents for 221, added another 78 runs to their first-innings lead. In the South Africa A innings, Marques Ackerman's counterattacking century (134) provided resistance. This was after SA A slumped to 76/5. However, India A's bowlers Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Mohammed Siraj took wickets at regular intervals.
Bowling performance
India A's bowlers strike in 1st innings
India A's bowlers were on top of their game in the first innings. Akash Deep struck twice early, reducing South Africa A to a dire 12/3. However, skipper Marques Ackerman and opener Jordan Hermann put up a 64-run partnership to stabilize the innings. The visitors then fell apart again after this partnership was broken, Prasidh dismissing Hermann in the 26th over.
Captain's contribution
Ackerman leads a strong partnership with Subrayen
Despite the mini-collapse, Ackerman led a strong partnership with Prenelan Subrayen, taking their side past the 200-run mark. Ackerman scored 66 runs in this partnership, bringing up his brisk century. However, after his dismissal, South Africa A's innings fell apart again as they were bowled out for just 221 runs. Notably, Ackerman scored more than half of the team's total.
Early wickets
India A consolidate lead despite losing wickets
In their second innings, India A lost Abhimanyu Easwaran to Okhule Cele for a three-ball duck. Sai Sudharsan and KL Rahul then added 35 runs for the second wicket before Sudharsan was trapped in front. Rahul continued his innings with Devdutt Padikkal, who fell to Cele just before stumps. This left India A at 78/3 in the second innings.
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What about Indian bowlers?
Prasidh Krishna, who has been inconsistent of late, was the pick of India's bowlers. The right-arm seamer took 3/35 in 11.3 overs. Meanwhile, Siraj (2/61) and Deep (2/28) took two wickets each.
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India scored 255 in first innings
Earlier in the match, India A scored 255 after being invited to bat first. While skipper Rishabh Pant departed for a 20-ball 24, Dhruv Jurel scored an innings-defining ton (132 off 175 balls).