Chahal takes two after India A collapse against South Africa A

NEW DELHI: Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal struck twice as South Africa A went to stumps at 219/3 on the second day of the second four-day ‘Test’ against India A in Bengaluru on Saturday.

After fast bowler Mohammed Siraj removed South Africa A opener Pieter Malan for a duck, No 3 batsman Zubayr Hamza (93) and Sarel Erwee (58) stitched a 154-run partnership before Chahal – who stands a chance to get selected for the fourth and fifth Tests of the ongoing series against England -- removed both batsmen in quick succession.

Hamza was caught by skipper Shreyas Iyer while Erwee departed after making a sedate half-century with seven boundaries and two sixes.

At the close of day’s play, South Africa A were trailing behind India A by 126 runs with Rassie van der Dussen and Rudi Second batting on 18 and 35, respectively.

Earlier in the day, India A suffered a massive collapse to be bowled out for 345 in their first innings.

Fast bowler Duanne Olivier took a six-wicket haul as the hosts could add just 23 runs to their opening day’s score of 322/4.

On the first day, Hanuma Vihari had helped India recover from early jitters with his 15th first-class hundred.

He received support from Ankit Bawne, who scored 80 – with 10 boundaries and a six.

The duo added 177 runs for the fourth wicket before Bawne was caught by wicketkeeper Second off off-spinner Dane Piedt.

Vihari, who was unbeaten on 138 at stumps, added 10 more runs on the second day before falling to fast bowler Anrich Nortje. His innings was studded with 14 boundaries.

India A’s in-form opening duo of Prithvi Shaw (16) and Mayank Agarwal (0) encountered a rare failure. Iyer and wicketkeeper Srikar Bharat contributed 39 and 34 respectively.

Brief Scores: India A 345 (Vihari 148, Bawne 80, Olivier 6/63) vs South Africa A 219/3 (Hamza 93, Erwee 58, Chahal 2/62) at stumps on Day 2.