Thiruvananthapuram: Mumbai all-rounder Shivam Dube’s (79 n o, 60b, 3×4, 6×6) big-hitting prowess was well complemented by senior international Yuzvendra Chahal’s (5/47) magnificent bowling as India A comfortably beat South Africa A by 69 runs in the first unofficial ODI encounter of the five-match series here Thursday.
The muscular played a belligerent knock to take India to 327 for six in 47 overs. His whirlwind seventh partnership of 121 off 71 balls with man of the match Axar Patel (60 n o, 36b, 6×4, 3×6) gave Indian total an imposing look.
In reply, South Africa could only manage 258 in 45 overs despite a fine century by Reeza Hendricks (110, 108b, 12×4, 1×6). Wicketkeeper-batsmen Heinrich Klaasen (58, 43b, 4×4, 3×6) and Khaya Zondo (30) were the only other batsmen to make notable contributions as Chahal kept the Proteas in check.
Earlier in the day, most of the Indian batsmen got starts but couldn’t convert into big scores. The highly-rated Shubman Gill (46, 47b, x4) and captain Manish Pandey (39, 41b 4×4) got set but failed to consolidate.
The home team appeared to be heading for a below-par score when Krunal Pandya (14) fell to Anrich Nortje, with the score at 206 for six.
However, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel had different ideas. The two southpaws blasted the rival bowlers at will, almost, not sparing the pacemen – Nortje (2/89), Beuran Hendricks (2/89) and Junior Dala (1/62).
The South Africans didn’t get off to a great start, losing opener Janneman Malan (18), who survived after being caught off Deepak Chahar’s but it was adjudged no-ball. Hendricks played positively and was on the lookout for runs. He kept finding the boundary but the middle-order failed to support him.
Brief scores: India A 327 for 6 in 47 overs (Shivam Dube 79, Axar Patel 60, Shubman Gill 46, Manish Pandey 39, Ishan Kishan 37, Bjorn Fortuin 2/40) beat South Africa A 258 all out in 45 overs (Reeza Hendricks 110, H Klaasen 58, Y Chahal 5/47, Axar Patel 2/39).
PTI