India A Vs South Africa A Highlights, 3rd Unofficial ODI: RSA-A Hand IND-A 73-Run Defeat; Hosts Win Series 2-1

Hello and welcome! We’re live with the third unofficial ODI between India A and South Africa A, stay tuned for all the latest updates.

South Africa A reach 150, with Moonsamy driving a four through the gap between short third and backward point off Manav Suthar. They are 151 without loss.

India A won the Toss and elected to Field first against South Africa A.

India A Playing XI: Tilak Varma (c), Ishan (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Riyan Parag, Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Harshit Rana, Manavjit Suthar, M Prasidh, S K K Ahmed

Rest of the Squad: Vipraj Nigam, Prabhsimran Singh, Arshdeep Singh

South Africa A Playing XI: Marques Ackerman (c), S Qeshile (wk), Rivaldo Moonsamy, Lhuan Dre Pretorius, Rubin Hermann, Dian Forrester, Delano Potgieter, Bjorn Fortuin, Nqabayomzi Peter, Lutho Sipamla, Tshepo Moreki

Rest Of The Squad: Prenelan Subrayen, Tiaan Van Vuuren, Ottneil Baartman, Jordan Hermann

South Africa A move to 179 without loss in 29.2 overs. India A are still searching for breakthroughs, as Pretorius steps down the track and smashes Nishant Sindhu straight down the ground for a six.

Moonsamy reaches a sensational century. He guides a wide delivery to the point region for four, completing his hundred in 123 balls and celebrates with an animated fist pump. Off the very next ball, he drives over mid-on for another boundary as South Africa A race to 240 without loss.

Prasidh strikes in the same over, dismissing Pretorius with a back-of-the-length delivery. The left-hander tried to loft it over mid-off but couldn’t get enough on it, ending his innings on 123 off 99 balls. This wicket breaks the huge double-century stand between Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Rivaldo Moonsamy.

Wickets tumble for South Africa A! Harshit Rana strikes with a bouncer, and Qeshile pulls it straight to deep fine leg. Three wickets fall in quick succession as South Africa A slump to 243/3 in 39 overs.

Harshit Rana strikes again, claiming his second wicket! Hermann attempts a wild slog, but mistimes it completely and skies the ball straight to long off. Rana’s control and precision make it look easy, and the crowd erupts as the batter trudges back.

India A need 326 to chase. In the last over, Potgieter launches the first delivery through cover for a crisp four, then rocks back and pulls a short ball towards deep fine leg. The fielder miscues, and the ball races to the fence for another boundary. South Africa A wrap up their innings at 325/6.

Abhishek Sharma’s innings comes to a disappointing end as he goes for a pull and is caught at deep fine leg, Moreki claiming the wicket. Earlier, Gaikwad had showcased his class with a beautiful cover drive for four off Moreki, but Sharma couldn’t replicate that fluency today and falls cheaply, leaving his team needing a spark.

India A start cautiously at 40/1 after 7 overs, with Tilak struggling to find his rhythm. He often gets stuck at the crease early in the innings, making it tough to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s innings comes to an end at 25 off 31 balls, cleaned up by left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin. India A slump to 57/3.

Wickets continue to tumble for India A, as Delano Potgieter sends back Riyan Parag for 17 off 20. Ayush Badoni joins Ishan Kishan at the crease, and the task is a really daunting one with 241 more runs needed at an asking rate over well above seven an over. A big partnership is the need of the hour.

Ayush Badoni is off to a brisk start, getting to a run-a-ball 12. The longer he stays there with Ishan Kishan, the more pressure they can put on the Proteas bowling later, especially given the firepower both batters possess.

Ishan Kishan is dismissed after getting to a well-deserved fifty. Nqabayomzi Peter has him caught by Lhuan Dre Pretorious for 53 off 67, and in comes Nishant Sindhu. Meanwhile, Ayush Badoni gets to his own fifty and holds the key for India A. The required run rate has jumped to over nine an over, though.

Nqabayomzi Peter dislodges the other set batter in the form of Ayush Badoni (66 off 66), and with that, India's chances of an unlikely win are extinguished. Harshit Rana follows suit and so does Nishant Sindhu, as India A go eight down with 120 runs still to get. A large defeat looming for the hosts.

Prasidh Krishna is the ninth Indian wicket to fall, gone for a handy 23 off 28. Manav Suthra still battling on alongside Khaleel Ahmed, but it is too big a hill to climb now.

Tshepo Moreki cleans up Manav Suthar for 23, and it's all over. India A are bowled out for 252 in 49.1 overs and suffer a comprehensive 73-run defeat. It's a consolation win for South Africa A, however, as the hosts had already clinched the series before this encounter.