India A vs South Africa A Live Score, 1st unofficial Test: SA A 108/1 at Lunch; Hermann, Hamza in cruise control

Kamboj bowls the final over before lunch. Hamza and Hermann take out three singles in that over and walk into the pavillion with the heads held high after an early loss of wicket. This has been South Africa’s session.

Kotian replaces Suthar. Hermann looks to sweep but gets hit on pads, an appeal follows but nothing from the umpire.

Kamboj is back into the attack. Hamza once again drives through covers and gets a triple. Good chase by the fielder there to stop the boundary. Four runs from the over.

Fifty for Zubayr Hamza in 73 deliveries. A terrific innings; had to ride his luck a bit initially but has looked comfortable against spinners and took them on. Short ball by Suthar to Hermann who pulls it towards deep fine leg and a good effort saves the boundary.

Kotian and Suthar continue to bowl in tandem but South Africans have played them well. There’s a bit of turn but nothing much to threaten the batters. The spinners will have to change their plans to make inroads.

Kotian. Bowls fuller outside off and Hamza once again lofts him over mid off for a six! Seven runs added from that. Kotian also keeping the ball flat.

Suthar coming around the wicket to the left hander. Hermann ramps him past short fine leg for four! South Africans have decided not to let spinners settle on a length.

Tanush Kotian into the attack. Hamza welcomes with a cut past point for four. A bit short and Hamza was quick to go on the backfoot. Now Kotian loops it too full and outside off stump only for Hamza to smack the ball straight for four. Short and wide, Hamza cuts but only gets a single. Now Kotian bowls a down the leg delivery to the left hander and he gets a double towards deep fine leg region. 11 runs off the over.

Suthar. The left hander Hermann reverse sweeps Suthar for four! Lovely timing and placement. Five runs came in that over. Both batters looking comfortable now after initial jitters.

Gurnoor drifts down the leg, Hermann places the ball towards fine leg. Ayush Badoni does well to keep the ball inside and stop the boundary. Fifty-run partnership between Hamza and Hermann.

Suthar. Quicker delivery on the stumps and Hamza cuts him past backward point for four! Good shot that. Four runs from that over. Manav has been bowling a touch quicker than usual.

Gurnoor. Hamza times his cover drive to perfection and gets a four to begin the over. Now short ball to Hermann, he pulls it but there’s a fielder at square leg so he will only get a single.

Spin is now introduced, Manav Suthar into the attack. Gets the ball to turn and drift a bit. Just one run from his first over.

The movement has died down. Gurnoor bowls a half volley to Hermann who drives it beautifully past the cover region for four.

Both Gurnoor and Kamboj have overstepped on a couple of occasions. This time Kamboj drifts way down the line and it goes for four byes.

Gurnoor. Hamza has been beaten looking to drive outside off multiple times now. His backfoot seems to be stuck.

Kamboj. Hamza gets a boundary via a thick outside edge that goes between the second slip and gully. South Africans keeping the scoreboard ticking.

Gurnoor shaping the ball away from the right handers and asking the Hamza to drive. While Hamza got beaten on the outside edge the previous ball, he finishes the over with a straight drive for four.

Kamboj continues from the other end. Hermann takes a single off the first ball. A brave leave by Hamza there! Good length on the off stump, Kamboj angles in the ball, it holds its line and goes just over the stumps.

Khaleel has been taken off the attack and Gurnoor Brar has been introduced. Brar bowls at a good pace and is tall. Hamza looks to drive, the ball falls just short of the cover fielder; was in the air for a while. Starts off with a maiden.

Kamboj bowling for the first time to left-hander Hermann today. Getting the ball into the batter. Hermann negates the over safely and plays out a maiden.

Khaleel. Short ball and Hermann this time times his pull to perfection and sends the ball towards midwicket boundary for four. Another short ball, this time Hermann places it between mid on and midwicket region and gets a double. Seven runs from the over.

Kamboj strikes first ball of his second over! Driving length, shaping away from the right hander and Lesego falls for it to get caught at the first slip. There was a no ball check but all good in the end for Kamboj. Lesego falls for a duck.

Zubayr Hamza at the crease. He’s off the mark with an extra cover drive for four.

Khaleel. Short ball and Hermann pulls it towards square leg for a double; didn’t time it well. Two runs from that over. Khaleel keeping the ball in and around the off stump.

Anshul Kamboj from the other end. Lesego Senokwane the other opener to face his first delivery. Kamboj getting the ball to swing more than Khaleel; shaping it away from the right hander. Beats Lesego on the outside edge! Shaping away, fuller on the fifth stump, making Lesego to play. A maiden over to begin with.

Khaleel Ahmed to begin the proceedings. A little bit of shape away from the left handed Jordan Hermann. The first delivery rose from good length and hit him on the thigh while Khaleel bowled a fuller one which Hermann defended. First runs and first boundary for South Africa A! Fuller ball, Hermann gets a thick outside edge that goes past backward point. Four runs from the over.

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Pic credit: Tarun Shastry

Sai Sudharsan embraces India No. 3 role, credits coach Gautam Gambhir for mindset shift

India’s newest No. 3 in Tests, Sai Sudharsan, feels he has settled into the challenges of batting in a crucial position for his side. Speaking to the media on the eve of India A’s four-day match against South Africa A on Wednesday.

India A: Rishabh Pant, Sai Sudharsan, Ayush Mhatre, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Ayush Badoni, Tanush Kotian, Anshul Kamboj, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Khaleel Ahmed

South Africa A: Marques Ackerman (c), Jordan Hermann, Lesego Senokwane, Zubayr Hamza, Rubin Hermann, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Tiaan Van Vuuren, Prenelan Subrayen, Tshepo Moreki, Lutho Sipamla, Okuhle Cele

India A wins toss and opts to field.

IND A vs SA A, 1st Unofficial Test: Rishabh Pant leads India A, aims to regain rhythm ahead of South Africa series

Fearlessness and flamboyance are set to take centre stage at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Grounds as Rishabh Pant makes his return to competitive cricket, leading India A against South Africa A starting Thursday.

India A: Rishabh Pant (captain) (wk), Ayush Mhatre, N. Jagadeesan (wk), B. Sai Sudharsan (vice-captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur, Ayush Badoni, Saransh Jain.

South Africa A: Marques Ackerman, Okuhle Cele, Zubayr Hamza, Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Simmonds, Tsepo Ndwandwa, Jason Smith, Tiaan van Vuuren, and Codi Yusuf.

The first unofficial Test between India A and South Africa A will be live streamed on JioHotstar.

Welcome to the live coverage of the first unofficial Test between India A and South Africa A set to be played in Bengaluru. Stay tuned for live updates.

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