Chasing 444 in the first unofficial Test against South Africa ‘A’, India ‘A’ need 371 runs to win with eight wickets in hand at stumps with a day left in the match. When play was called off Abhinav Mukund (32*) and Ambati Rayudu (13*) had taken the home team to 73 for two in the second innings at the end of Day 3. India ‘A’ lost seven wickets in the morning for an addition of 82 runs to their overnight total. While captain Rayudu made 46 in an effort to hold the innings together, the rest of the line-up caved in to the SA attack and were bowled out for 204. Dane Piedt finished with a five-wicket haul in the innings while Keshav Maharaj chipped in with two wickets as SA ‘A’ clinched a mammoth 338-run lead. However, SA ‘A’ didn’t enforce a follow-on and came out to add to their total and set the home team a formidable target with over a day left in the match. With opener Reeza Hendricks leading the way with 61 off 69 balls the visitors scored 105 for one before declaring their second innings. Chasing the mountainous task, Jiwanjot Singh was run out for one with just four runs on the board. 39 runs later, Ankush Bains was bowled by Maharaj for 27. Mukund and the captain then saw the team through to the end of day’s play.

End of Day 1: SA ‘A’ 1st inn 293/4 in 88 overs (O Ramela 112, T Bavuma 55, A Patel 2/52)

End of Day 2: SA ‘A’ 1st inn 542 all out in 138.5 overs (Q de Kock 113, D Vilas 75, A Patel 4/115, S Iyer 2/29); Ind ‘A’ 1st inn 122/3 in 34.5 overs (S Iyer 49, A Rayudu 11*, D Peidt 2/47)

End of Day 2: Ind ‘A’ 1st inn 204 all out in 66.3 overs (S Iyer 49, A Rayudu 46, D Peidt 5/88, K Maharaj 2/13); SA ‘A’ 2nd inn 105/1 decl. in 35 overs (R Hendricks 61, S van Zyl 38*); Ind ‘A’ 2nd inn 73/2 in 29 overs (A Mukund 32*, K Maharaj 1/24)