Thiruvananthapuram: Spinners Hrithik Shokeen (3/52) and Manav Suthar (3/44) shared six wickets among themselves as India’s under-19 team posted a convincing nine-wicket win over South Africa in the ‘Youth’ Test here Friday.
The visiting team fared poorly in the second innings, being dismissed for 167 in 66 overs with off-spinner Shokeen and left-arm spinner Suthar doing most of the damage. South Africa were dismissed for 197 in the first innings.
Resuming at an overnight score of 34 for three, South Africa lost Andile Mokgakne (30) after the addition of only 17 runs.
A lot depended on Bonga Makhakha and all-rounder Bryce Parsons, who scored a half centuries in the first innings, if the team had to put up a fight.
But Suthar struck a vital blow for India when he had Parsons caught by Varun Nayanar for 16 after the left-hander had hit a four and a six. Wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals as Shokeen and Suthar maintained a good line and length.
Only Makhakha (74, 165b) fought while the rest of the batsmen found the going tough against the spin duo.
Needing 35 to win, the Rahul Dravid-led Indian team lost the wicket of first innings centurion Divyansh Saxena (18) before Varun Nayanar (19 n o) and Vatsal Govind (0 not out) finished the job.
Saxena was named man of the match for his superb ton (122) in India’s total of 330.
The second ‘Test’ starts here February 26.
Brief scores: South Africa U-19: 197 and 167 (Bonga Makhakha 74, Hrithik Shokeen 3/52, Manav Suthar 3/44) lost to India U-19: 330 and 37/1 by nine wickets
PTI
