2nd unofficial Test, South Africa beat India by 5 wickets:Jordan Hermann’s 91 runs guide Proteas’ victory on Day 4; Pant’s 65-run knock goes in vain

South Africa A pulled off a sensational 5-wicket victory over India A in the second unofficial Test at the Centre of Excellence Ground, Bengaluru. Chasing a massive target of 417 runs, the visitors showed great determination and teamwork to reach 417/5 on the final day. With this win, South Africa levelled the unofficial Test series and showed their strength in the longer format. India A looked strong for most parts of the match, thanks to brilliant centuries from wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel in both innings and a fine half-century from Rishabh Pant, who also led the side. However, South Africa A’s batting lineup, led by Jordan Hermann, Lesego Senokwane, and Zubayr Hamza, played with discipline and confidence to script one of their most memorable run chases in recent times. Dhruv Jurel’s twin heroics give India A hope, Pant’s half-century goes in vain In the first innings, India A struggled early, losing four wickets for just 59 runs. Dhruv Jurel stood tall amid the collapse and played a superb unbeaten knock of 132 runs off 175 balls, helping India A reach 255. For South Africa A, Tiaan van Vuuren was the pick of the bowlers, taking four wickets. In reply, Marques Ackerman’s counter-attacking century (134 off 118 balls) lifted South Africa A to 221, as India A’s bowlers, led by Prasidh Krishna (3/35), ensured a slender lead. In the second innings, India A bounced back strongly with Jurel’s 127 not out and a fine 84 from Harsh Dubey, allowing them to declare at 382/7 and set a massive target of 417 for the visitors. Hermann’s 91-run knock guides Proteas’ huge run chase Chasing 417, South Africa A began confidently. Jordan Hermann (91) and Lesego Senokwane (77) added a crucial 156-run partnership for the first wicket. Later, Zubayr Hamza scored a brisk 77 off 88 balls, and skipper Temba Bavuma contributed a steady 59 to keep the chase alive. The finishing touches came from wicketkeeper Connor Esterhuizen (52 not out) and Tiaan van Vuuren (20 not out), who guided their team home with 5 wickets in hand. For India A, the bowlers failed to create enough breakthroughs on a batting-friendly pitch, with Prasidh Krishna (2/49) being the most successful among them.