South Africa A Chase 417 to Win Against India A

South Africa A made history at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru by chasing down a massive target of 417 runs against India A. They won the match with five wickets remaining, despite fading light in the final hour. This became the highest successful fourth-innings chase in a first-class game in India since 2016 and the sixth-highest ever recorded in the country.

Connor Esterhuizen played a match-winning innings of 52 not out. He faced the Indian spinners confidently, hitting eight boundaries and one six. His quick scoring helped South Africa A finish the chase smoothly. Esterhuizen shared an unbeaten sixth-wicket stand of 65 runs from just 52 balls with Tiaan van Vuuren, ensuring victory before bad light could stop play.

The chase began with a strong opening partnership between Lesego Senokwane and Jordan Hermann. They added 156 runs for the first wicket and dominated the morning session without losing any wickets. The pair attacked India A’s pace bowlers — Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep — with confidence, putting pressure on the hosts early in the day.

India A’s key spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, struggled to find rhythm on a pitch that did not offer much spin. His deliveries lacked turn, and both openers played him comfortably. When he bowled full, they drove him elegantly; when he bowled short, they used the slow turn to play shots off the back foot. The pitch offered no help to spin, making it difficult for India A to control the scoring rate.

Jordan Hermann led the scoring early, hitting Akash Deep for four delightful boundaries — through covers, square, and straight. He reached his half-century off 73 balls and looked in complete control. India A’s bowlers failed to find movement, and several edges did not carry to the slips, adding to their frustration.

Lesego Senokwane also reached his half-century, taking 113 deliveries. He played carefully against the pacers but was aggressive against left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey, hitting him for a slog sweep. Hermann joined in with a paddle sweep, and both batters punished Dubey’s faster deliveries. Hermann was lucky when a bouncer off his glove landed safely behind Rishabh Pant, who couldn’t reach it in time.

Prasidh Krishna finally provided a breakthrough when Hermann hit a full toss straight back into his hands and was dismissed for 91. Mohammed Siraj bowled a fiery spell afterward, troubling Senokwane and engaging in some verbal exchanges. Eventually, Senokwane was trapped leg before wicket by Dubey for 77, ending a solid innings.

After the two openers fell, Temba Bavuma and Zubayr Hamza built a crucial 107-run partnership for the third wicket. Both had earlier been part of South Africa’s Test squad and brought experience to the chase. Bavuma played carefully after a first-innings duck, while Hamza was more aggressive and attacked from the start.

India A’s worries increased when Mohammed Siraj injured himself while fielding and had to leave the ground for treatment. Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was also rested for two sessions, with Jurel taking over. The team management later said it was to manage Pant’s workload after back-to-back matches.

Hamza was dismissed when he got an inside edge off Prasidh Krishna, and Bavuma followed soon after. India A sensed a chance when Marques Ackerman was caught behind off Siraj, but a replay showed Siraj had overstepped. Ackerman was later dismissed for 24, bringing Esterhuizen to the crease. From there, Esterhuizen took control, attacking Kuldeep and Dubey in fading light and guiding South Africa A to a famous win.

South Africa A’s victory was not just about power hitting but also patience and planning. Their successful chase of 417 runs stands as a record-breaking effort on Indian soil. The calm finish by Esterhuizen highlighted his skill against spin and his ability to perform under pressure, marking a proud moment for South Africa A in Bengaluru.