South Africa A pulled off a commanding 417-run chase against India A in the second unofficial Test at Bengaluru, sealing a remarkable win that underscored their depth and resilience. The visitors dominated the final day, reaching the target with six wickets to spare, as India’s bowlers — particularly left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav — struggled to make breakthroughs on a placid pitch.
The match began promisingly for India A. Batting first, they posted 385, powered by Abhimanyu Easwaran’s 121 and Sarfaraz Khan’s brisk 89. South Africa A replied with 356, anchored by Tony de Zorzi’s composed century and helpful middle-order contributions from Tristan Stubbs and Ruan de Swardt. India’s second innings saw another decent start, but regular wickets meant they could only set South Africa a challenging yet attainable fourth-innings target of 417.
What followed on the final day stunned the home side. South Africa A’s top order, led by opener Edward Moore (118) and Tony de Zorzi (92), dismantled India’s attack through measured aggression and calculated risk-taking. Moore’s partnership of 162 with de Zorzi set the tone, frustrating India’s spinners, who found little bite from the surface. Despite intermittent pressure, the visitors’ chase never appeared truly in doubt as Tristan Stubbs (71*) and Khaya Zondo (54*) saw them home before tea on Day 4.
India’s bowling unit, featuring experienced names like Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mukesh Kumar, failed to sustain pressure. The most concerning aspect was Kuldeep’s ineffectiveness — he went wicketless in the second innings despite bowling over 30 overs. His spells lacked the zip and drift that once made him a menace on Indian soil. With the senior Test squad for South Africa already announced, selectors are reportedly monitoring his form closely as India prepare for the upcoming home series.
For South Africa A, the win was both tactical and psychological. Coach Shukri Conrad praised the squad’s composure, crediting the players for executing long chases without panic. “The focus was on partnerships and patience. We wanted to challenge India in their own conditions, and the players showed great maturity,” he said post-match.
India A skipper Shubman Gill admitted disappointment but remained optimistic, highlighting positives such as Easwaran’s and Sarfaraz’s continued run-scoring form. “We need to find consistency with the ball. It’s part of the development process for the guys,” Gill remarked.
The result has intensified debates around India’s bowling balance in red-ball cricket. With Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja leading the spin attack at the senior level, Kuldeep’s struggles raise questions about backup options. Younger spinners like Saurabh Kumar and Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore are pushing for attention, while selectors are expected to assess workloads and conditions ahead of South Africa’s full tour later this year.
South Africa A’s successful chase — one of the largest ever in unofficial Tests in India — also reinforces the growing competitiveness of their domestic setup. For India A, the defeat serves as a reminder that even on home soil, lapses in intensity can be costly. As both squads prepare for future assignments, the Bengaluru contest will likely be remembered as a benchmark for resilience — and a wake-up call for Kuldeep Yadav’s red-ball ambitions.
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