South Africa A 319 (Jean du Plessis 106, Hermann 95, Prasidh 5-43, Saurabh 3-83) drew with India A 419 (Paul 163, Shardul 76, Sarfaraz 68, Jones 4-100, Plaatjie 3-65) and 152 for 2 (Valli 72*, du Plessis 50*).
Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna and batsman Pradosh Ranjan Paul shone for India A in a stalemate against South Africa A in Potchefstroom. Shardul Thakur, an allrounder, also stood out with a wicket in the first innings and a quick half-century.
If Mohammed Shami is left out due to a lingering knee complaint, Prasidh might make his Test debut on Boxing Day.
Prasidh took his third five-wicket haul in first-class cricket against South Africa A, sparking a lower-order collapse. The hosts went from 293 for 4 to 319 all out early on the third day. His 5 for 43 in 18.1 overs included a hat-trick split over two overs to eliminate the final three hitters – all bowled. Jean du Plessis, who top scored with 106, and Rubin Hermann both took wickets for Prasidh.
Shardul and Vidwath Kaverappa both took one wicket, while left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar finished with 3 for 83 in 26 overs.
Paul led India A’s response, scoring his fourth first-class century. Paul, Tamil Nadu’s leading run-scorer in the 2022-23 Ranji season, scored 163, the match’s highest score. He had two century stands: 130 with Sarfaraz Khan (68), and then 152 with Shardul to overcome a wobble and take the lead. Shardul scored 76 from 98 balls as India A concluded with 417. Evan Jones, a seam-bowling allrounder, got 4 for 100 for South Africa A.
There wasn’t enough time after the first day’s washout to force a result, so South Africa A posted 152 for 2 in their second innings, with half-centuries from Yaseen Valli and du Plessis, before the game finished in a draw. Tushar Deshpande of Mumbai and Saurabh took the two wickets that fell.
Members of the India A squad will play members of the India Test team in a three-day game before concluding the visit with a four-day game against South Africa A on Boxing Day in Benoni.
