India A edge SA A in Bengaluru
Tiaan van Vuuren ended with three wickets but it was not enough for South Africa A (SA A) after they slipped to a narrow three-wicket defeat to India A on the final day of the first unofficial test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Sunday.
India A defeated South Africa A by 3 wickets in the first multi-day match at the BCCI CoE. 🇮🇳
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) November 2, 2025
Tanush Kotian won the Player of the Match award for his all-round performance. 👏#Cricket #IndiaA #BCCI #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/35pM7trNWS
The left-arm seamer proved the most successful bowler on day four when the tourists were chasing six wickets and the hosts 156 for a 1-0 series lead.
In the end it was captain Rishabh Pant who made all the difference after finishing with an impressive 90 (113 balls, 11 fours, 4 sixes) that laid the platform for the Indians to triumph.
Van Vuuren did eventually remove him and also claimed the wicket of Ayush Badoni, with the only other wicket-taker on the day being Lutho Sipamla (1/37) – an outcome that was ultimately not enough.
The South Africans will now regroup for the second match starting on Thursday, when Proteas test captain Temba Bavuma is set to bolster their ranks as he completes his rehabilitation from injury.
South Africa had the hosts on the backfoot at the start – at 119 for four when play resumed – but Pant and Badoni (34) put on 53 for the fifth wicket to strengthen India’s grip on the game.
But Van Vuuren then created a window of opportunity for the tourists when he got rid of both men within the space of four overs. Sipamla then had Tanush Kotian (23) caught by Van Vuuren leaving the game still there for the taking at 215 for seven and still 60 needed.
However, Manav Suthar (20*) and Anshul Kamboj (37*) combined for what proved to be the final partnership – an eighth-wicket combination that produced 62 unbroken runs – to seal the win.
South Africa A Four-Day Squad against India A
Marques Ackerman (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Temba Bavuma (DP World Lions)*, Okuhle Cele (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Zubayr Hamza (DP World Lions), Jordan Hermann (Warriors), Rubin Hermann (North West Dragons), Rivaldo Moonsamy (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tshepo Moreki (World Sports Betting Western Province), Mihlali Mpongwana (World Sports Betting Western Province), Lesego Senokwane (Momentum Multiply Titans), Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kyle Simmonds (World Sports Betting Western Province), Tsepo Ndwandwa (Momentum Multiply Titans), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tiaan van Vuuren (Knights), and Codi Yusuf (DP World Lions).
*Second match only
Management - Four-Day Series
Malibongwe Maketa (Head Coach), Riaan Osman (Manager), Richard das Neves (Batting Coach), Rowan Richards (Bowling Coach), Jimmy Kgamadi (Fielding Coach), Phumelele Skosana (Team Doctor), Tumi Masekela (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Brent Martin (Physiotherapist) and Abram Ndhlovu (Team Analyst).
Fixtures
Four-Day Series
30 October - 02 November
India A beat South Africa A by three wickets - BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru
06 - 09 November
India A v South Africa A - BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru
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