India A vs South Africa A, 2nd Unofficial Test, Day 1, Review: Hanuma Vihari saves the day for the home team

The opening match of the series between India ‘A’ and South Africa ‘A’ at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore was a one-sided contest in favour of the home team. The second match is currently being played at KSCA Stadium in Alur and by the end of the first day’s play, Shreyas Iyer’s men would be happy with their eventual score of 322/4 in their 90 overs after being pushed back initially.

Vihari and Iyer restores sanity

South Africa ‘A’, captained by Dane Piedt, won the toss and elected to field first. Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal, who played brilliantly in the first match, couldn’t replicate their form.  In the very first over, fast-bowler Anrich Nortje nipped Mayank Agarwal out for a two-ball duck courtesy of a decent catch by Zubayr Hamza. Shaw started with a couple of boundaries, but Duanne Olivier accounted for his wicket.

With the eighth over, India lost two of their most in-form batsmen. Iyer joined Vihari in the middle and the duo was in with a tumultuous task of dragging their team out of the precarious position. The partnership notched 62 runs in pretty quick time. However, just when they seemed settled to take the opposition by the scruff of their necks, Iyer perished to left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy.

 Vihari and Bawne carries on

After the skipper’s dismissal, Ankit Bawne came in at number five. He buckled down and expertly staved off the opposition bowling attack. He and Vihari built a stupendous stand of 177 runs, which put India in a comfortable position. Bawne looked set to score a century but was dismissed by Dane Piedt, after the batsman notched 80 runs from 146 deliveries with ten fours and a six.

Nevertheless, Vihari didn’t lose his cool and played till the close of play. The right-hander racked up 138 runs in 273 balls to end India ‘A’s day on a high. Srikar Bharat turned out to be an appropriate foil for him as he remained not out on 30 runs from 51 balls. Both batsmen would be hoping to build on their partnership and get Piedt’s men further on the mat as the match progresses.

Brief Scores

India A: 322/4 in 90 overs; (Hanuma Vihari 138*, Ankit Bawne 80; Dane Piedt 1/46, Senuran Muthusamy 1/51)

Close of Play: Day 1

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