South Africa A suffered a three-wicket defeat to India A on the final day of the first four-day match in Bengaluru.
Left-arm seamer Tiaan van Vuuren proved the most successful bowler on day four when the tourists were chasing six wickets and the hosts 156 for a 1-0 series lead.
In the end it was captain Rishabh Pant who made all the difference after finishing with an impressive 90 (113 balls; 11 fours, 4 sixes) that laid the platform for the Indians to triumph.
Van Vuuren did eventually remove him and also claimed the wicket of Ayush Badoni, with the only other wicket-taker on the day being Lutho Sipamla (1-37) – an outcome that was ultimately not enough.
The South Africans will now regroup for the second match starting on Thursday, when Proteas Test captain Temba Bavuma is set to bolster their ranks as he completes his rehabilitation from injury.
South Africa had the hosts on the backfoot at the start – at 119-4 when play resumed – but Pant and Badoni (34) put on 53 for the fifth wicket to strengthen India’s grip on the game.
But Van Vuuren then created a window of opportunity for the tourists when he got rid of both men within the space of four overs. Sipamla then had Tanush Kotian (23) caught by Van Vuuren leaving the game still there for the taking at 215-7 and still 60 needed.
However, Manav Suthar (20*) and Anshul Kamboj (37*) combined for what proved to be the final partnership – an eighth-wicket combination that produced 62 unbroken runs – to seal the win.
Photo: PTI
