India A lose to South Africa A by 235 runs in four-day match
Following their impressive victory in the tri-series also involving Afghanistan A, India A could not carry on the winning momentum in the longer format as the Karun Nair-led India A side succumbed to a huge 235-run defeat in the first fourday match against South Africa A at the Assupol Tuks Oval in Pretoria.
India A resumed Day 4 at 192/6, staring at a monumental target of 447, before capitulating for 211 to hand the home team a big victory on Tuesday.
The visitors needed 255 more runs to win with three wickets in hand as all-rounder Vijay Shankar could not bat again after he retired hurt in the first innings.
It took just 25 minutes for Junior Dala to clinch the required three wickets for South Africa A to win the unofficial Test as the fast bowler finished with remarkable figures of 5/36 in his 10.1-over spell.
Dala made quick work of the remaining batsmen, who could only add 19 runs to their tally before they were bowled out for 211.
Shahbaz Nadeem (28), Aniket Choudhary (0) and Mohammed Siraj (6) fell in the span of a few overs as the Indian lower order collapsed.
The match more or less tilted towards South Africa A when the visiting team were bowled out for 120, giving a first innings lead of 226 runs to the hosts.
Indian batsmen of the likes of Shreyas Iyer (31, 1), captain Karun Nair (15, 30) and wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan (0, 39) failed to rise up to the occasion.
No Indian batsman managed to even score a half-century in the match with Ankit Bawne being the highest scorer with 46 in the second innings.
South Africa A opener Stephen Cook was named the Man-of-theMatch for his 120 in the first innings that helped set up the victory for the hosts.
THE VISITORS NEEDED 255 RUNS TO WIN WITH THREE WICKETS AS ALLROUNDER VIJAY SHANKAR COULD NOT BAT AGAIN AFTER HE RETIRED HURT.