Ruturaj Gaikwad’s outstanding performance with an unbeaten half-century helped India A secure a convincing victory over South Africa A by nine wickets in the second unofficial ODI on Sunday. This win marked a significant milestone for India A as they took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
During the match, fast bowler Harshit Rana was instrumental in dismantling South Africa A’s batting lineup, achieving figures of 3 wickets for just 21 runs. Alongside him, left-arm spinner Nishant Sindhu also excelled, capturing 4 wickets for 16 runs, which led to South Africa A being bowled out for a mere 132 runs in just 30.3 overs. India A chased down the target efficiently, scoring 135 runs for the loss of only one wicket, and accomplishing this in 27.5 overs.
Abhishek Sharma contributed significantly to the match with a quick-fire 32 runs off 22 balls, forming a solid opening partnership of 53 runs with Gaikwad, who ended the innings at 68 not out. Unfortunately, Sharma was dismissed after he lofted a catch to Luhan Dre Pretorius off the bowling of Lutho Sipamla.
Gaikwad, along with captain Tilak Varma, who scored 29 not out, comfortably guided India A to victory. Gaikwad sealed the win with a boundary off spinner Prenelan Subrayen. Earlier in the match, South African batters struggled to cope with the pace of Rana and the variations from Sindhu, as they collectively claimed seven wickets. None of the South African batsmen could manage to cross 40 runs, with opener and wicketkeeper Rivaldo Moonsamy top-scoring at 33 runs from 34 balls.
In brief, the scores were: South Africa A: 132 all out in 30.3 overs (Rivaldo Moonsamy 33; Harshit Rana 3/21, Nishant Sindhu 4/16) and India A: 135/1 in 27.5 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 68, Tilak Varma 29, Abhishek Sharma 32). India A won the match by 9 wickets.
Original Source: https://www.india.com/sports/ruturaj-gaikwad-nitish-rana-star-as-india-a-crush-south-africa-a-to-seal-series-8187754/
Category: Sports,Harshit Rana,India A vs South Africa A,Indian Cricket Team,Latest Cricket News,nishant sindhu,Ruturaj Gaikwad
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Publish Date: 2025-11-17 02:35:00
