All-rounder George Linde starred for South Africa A, but India A won Saturday’s rain-affected limited-overs fixture at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
Inclement weather reduced the fixture to a mere 21 overs per side before the visitors climbed to a final score of 162/5 on the back of Linde’s brisk half-century. The home side later surpassed the 163-run target with just two wickets and six deliveries to spare.
The Cape Cobras left-hander struck 52 not out from just 25 deliveries, with one four and five sixes included. His performance was impressive against an opposition attack laden with six bowlers experienced in Test, ODI or T20I cricket.
Linde relished good support from captain Temba Bavuma and wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen, who contributed 40 and 31, respectively.
India A’s reply was jolted by Linde’s dismissal of the dangerous Anmolpreet Singh for 30 off 19, but recovered after wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Khan hit a quick half-ton, too.
The result afforded India a two-nil lead in the five-match series. The home side won Thursday’s opening fixture despite a fine century from opening batsman Reeza Hendricks. The third match will be played at the same venue on Tuesday.
Test batsman Shikhar Dhawan, meanwhile, has been added to the India A squad for fixtures four and five in the absence of the injured Vijay Shankar.
Photo: Gallo Images
