[WATCH] Rishabh Pant celebrates 50 during India A vs South Africa A 1st unofficial Test
Watch the video where the left-handed middle order of the Indian side, Rishabh Pant, has celebrated a fine half-century during the first unofficial Test between India-A and South Africa-A in Bengaluru.
Rishabh Pant returned to competitive cricket through the first of the two-match unofficial Test series against South Africa A, as he aims to keep himself fit for the upcoming two-match home red-ball series against the Proteas. The left-handed batter has been leading India A at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Pant injured himself during the fourth Test of India's previous trip to the United Kingdom against England at Old Trafford in Manchester. The left-handed batter looked to reverse sweep Chris Woakes, whose ball hit the southpaw on the side of his foot. He was in serious pain at the point before managing his injury and came to bat on the very next day.
This ongoing SA-A series saw Pant finding a good rhythm with the bat in the second innings. He started with his regular big shots around the park. With a boundary, slapped through the extra cover region, Pant celebrated his fine half-century and ended the third day’s play with an unbeaten 64 runs in 81 balls at a strike rate of 79, thanks to eight boundaries and a couple of sixes.
Watch: Rishabh Pant notches up 50 during IND-A vs SA-A unofficial Test in Bengaluru
Three half-centuries from Jordan Hermann, Zubayr Hamza, and Rubin Hermann shouldered the Proteas to 309 in the first innings after India’s captain decided to bowl first on a surface which provided a little help to the bowlers. Tiaan Van Vuuren nailed 46 runs while Tanush Kotian picked up four wickets in the first innings.
India couldn’t put in a great performance with the bat in their first innings. Apart from Ayush Mhatre’s 65 runs in 76 balls, thanks to 10 boundaries at 85.53, none of the batters were able to celebrate their respective fifties in the innings, despite getting valuable starts with the bat. They got bundled out for 234.
South Africa couldn’t use the advantage of a decent lead and were blown away for 199 in the second innings. Kotian bagged another four-wicket haul in the second innings. Going into the fourth and final day of the clash, India A need 156 runs with six wickets in hand.
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