Pacer Ishwar Pandey’s four wickets have put India A in a commanding position in the unofficial Test against South Africa A after Day 3. The hosts finished with 312 for nine at stumps, still 270 runs adrift of India A’s 582 for nine decl.

After losing five wickets in the first two sessions of play, it was JP Duminy (84) who led SA A’s fightback, with crucial partnerships with the tailenders. He got together with Thami Tsolekile (47) to string a partnership of 86 runs for the seventh wicket to take South Africa A past 300 with a wicket left.

Before that, Duminy had raised another fighting 75-run stand for the sixth wicket with Justin Ontong, who scored 47 off 82 balls.

Pandey (4/40) broke both these partnerships that frustrated the Indian camp. Suresh Raina took two wickets, including that of Duminy, with his spin bowling.

Resuming at the overnight score of 20 for one, South Africa A were reduced to 280 for six by tea, before Duminy led the charge. South Africa lost Duminy in the last over of the day when Raina had him caught behind. With his dismissal, the umpires ended the day's play.

Duminy's 84 came off 222 balls with nine boundaries.

Earlier, India A bowlers got rid of the South Africa A middle order with regular strikes. The hosts found the going tough from the beginning as Mohammed Shami struck only in the third over of the day, dismissing opener Dean Elgar. The pacer had Elgar trapped in front of the wicket as the hosts lost their second wicket at 22.

Resisting the Indian bowlers well, left-handed batsman Rilee Rossouw scored a 64-ball 57 and shared a 72-run stand for the third wicket with overnight batsman Simon Harmer (22).

Pandey had Harmer caught behind and soon Rossouw joined him in the pavilion when he was trapped by Raina. Temba Bavuma, who joined Duminy at the crease, could not even open his account as he was caught by Raina off Nadeem.

Brief scores:

India A 1st innings 582/9 dec in 163 overs (Chetashwar Pujara 137, Suresh Raina 135, Rohit Sharma 119, Shahbaz Nadeem 46*, Jaydev Unadkat 31*, Wayne Parnell 3/93, JP Duminy 3/80)

South Africa A 1st innings 312/9 in 98.3 overs (Rilee Rossouw 57, JP Duminy 84, Justin Ontong 47, Thami Tsolekile 47; Ishwar Pandey 4/40, Suresh Raina 2/33)