South Africa-A’s off-spinner, Prenelan Subrayen, turned the tables on the hosts, delivering a masterful five-wicket performance (22–2–61–5) that secured a crucial 75-run first-innings lead for his side. This pivotal moment unfolded on day two of the inaugural multi-day match against India-A at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Grounds this Friday.
The day began with the visitors adding a few more runs, eventually being bowled out for 309 in the sixth over. Medium-pacer Gurnoor Brar made the final breakthrough, shattering Okuhle Cele’s stumps with a precise toe-crushing yorker.
India-A’s response started with an unexpected opening pair: Sai Sudharsan alongside Ayush Mhatre. Mhatre, in particular, exuded confidence from the very first ball, elegantly driving multiple boundaries through the covers and unleashing a sharp square drive that quickly found the fence.
Mhatre (65 runs off 76 balls, including 10 fours) brilliantly dictated the pace of the innings, effortlessly finding gaps and guiding India to a comfortable 71 without loss by lunchtime.
However, the post-lunch session belonged entirely to Subrayen. He ended the flourishing 90-run opening partnership with a seemingly innocuous short delivery, which Mhatre unfortunately flicked straight to mid-wicket.
Devdutt Padikkal’s stay at the crease was brief; he soon followed Mhatre back to the pavilion, mistiming a shot to mid-off and handing Subrayen his second wicket.
Rishabh Pant then arrived, true to his aggressive nature. He fearlessly charged the first delivery he faced but missed it completely. Undeterred, he quickly got off the mark, smashing a fuller ball over mid-on for his initial boundary. Yet, his innings was cut short when a short-of-a-length delivery from Cele surprised him, resulting in an uncertain poke that spooned up to gully.
The wickets continued to tumble as Rajat Patidar was next to go, bowled through the gate by Subrayen, leaving India-A reeling at 159 for five by the tea break.
Tanush Kotian and Manav Suthar were the subsequent victims, with Kotian succumbing to Subrayen’s spin and Suthar falling to the pace of seamer Tiaan van Vuuren.
Ayush Badoni and Anshul Kamboj offered a brief glimmer of hope, forming a 36-run partnership for the eighth wicket before both were dismissed by Lutho Sipamla.
Subrayen returned to claim his well-deserved fifth wicket, wrapping up India-A’s innings by dismissing Khaleel Ahmed. South Africa-A concluded the day’s play at 30 without loss, now holding a commanding lead of 103 runs.
Match Summary: South Africa-A declared at 309 in 91.2 overs in their first innings, and ended day two at 30/0 in 12 overs in their second. India-A was bowled out for 234 in 58 overs (Ayush Mhatre 65, Prenelan Subrayen 5/61).