The ‘A’ tours that countries embark on are like shadow sojourns. Shadow, because these teams are filled with National-team aspirants and players who mirror the qualities of the nation’s first-choice XI, with the expectation being that they are ready to jump in when the eventual call-up comes.
However, the second of the two multi-day matches between India-A versus South Africa-A, which commences at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in the city outskirts on Thursday, appears to have deviated from this norm.
It looks like a main event in itself, for the Indian roster has as many as eight members from the Test squad that will take on South Africa in the two-match Test series from November 14. The visiting party has in its ranks the World Test Championship-winning captain Temba Bavuma. The hope is now for the on-field action to match the quality on paper.
India-A won the exciting first tie by three wickets, with off-spinner Tanush Kotian finishing with a match-haul of eight wickets (four for 83 and four for 26). But the biggest positive was the return of Rishabh Pant, who had been out of action with a foot injury since the fourth Test against England in Manchester in July.
Tanush Kotian was the pick of the bowlers in the first game with eight wickets across the two innings.
| Photo Credit:
K. Murali Kumar
Tanush Kotian was the pick of the bowlers in the first game with eight wickets across the two innings.
| Photo Credit:
K. Murali Kumar
The swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter made a typically brisk second-innings 90 and kept wickets, thus announcing his readiness for the rigours of five-day cricket. Another game before the first Test in Kolkata against the Proteas will be useful to sharpen his skills further.
The likes of B. Sai Sudharsan – who opened the batting in last week’s contest – and Devdutt Padikkal – who played at No. 3 – will look for some runs after accounting for just 55 across both innings.
The South Africa-A side isn’t as heavily loaded as the Indians’, but Bavuma’s return after a two-month injury lay-off will be keenly watched. Conditions wise, only Bengaluru’s unusually warm weather might imitate Kolkata’s.
SQUADS
India A: Rishabh Pant (c/wk), KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dhruv Jurel, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, Akash Deep, Gurnoor Brar, Manav Suthar, Devdutt Padikkal.
South Africa A: Jordan Hermann, Lesego Senokwane, Temba Bavuma (c), Zubayr Hamza, Marques Ackerman, Rubin Hermann, Rivaldo Moonsamy (wk), Tiaan van Vuuren, Prenelan Subrayen, Tshepo Moreki, Lutho Sipamla, Okuhle Cele, Jason Smith, Kyle Simmonds, Tsepo Ndwandwa, Mihlali Mpongwana, Codi Yusuf.
Published on Nov 05, 2025