India A Dominates Day Three Against South Africa A, Builds 416-Run Lead
Day three firmly belonged to India. South Africa A managed to survive the final hour without losing a wicket, but they still have a mountain to climb, they need 392 more runs to win, and it won’t be easy. KL Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav opened the batting in the morning, but neither could make a big impact. Kuldeep fell for 16, while Rahul contributed 27 before being dismissed by Cele. Rishabh Pant tried some audacious shots but was struck three times on the body and had to retire hurt.
Dhruv Jurel and Harsh Dubey stepped up right there. They batted very well in the middle and played their shots at times. Jurel continued his fine form in which he was in the first innings. Harsh Dubey played the perfect second fiddle to him and he notched up his 9th fifty in First Class cricket. But when the second new ball was taken, he got dismissed only in the third ball by Tshepo Moreki. But before that, he contributed 84 runs to the team total.
Day Three Dominated by India A; Huge Lead Sets Up Win Chance
Rishabh Pant then came back and joined Jurel in the crease. They started scoring in a jiffy and Jurel got to his hundred. Their partnership yielded 82 runs from 54 balls. Pant got out for 65 off 54 balls hitting 5 fours and 4 maximums and India A decided to declare the innings with a whopping lead of 416 runs. Dhruv Jurel remained unbeaten on 127 facing 170 balls with 15 fours and a solitary maximum.
With 54 minutes left in the day's play, Proteas came to bat. Jordan Hermann looked comfortable in the crease at times but Senokwane was all at sea against the seam movement produced by the Indian new ball bowlers. He was beaten comprehensively quite a few times, narrowly escaped from getting an outside edge, made a few tight leaves and it was a miserable stay for him.
However he survived the menace and remained unbeaten on 9 off 36 balls while Hermann is at the other end scoring 15 off 30. Tomorrow India A need 10 wickets to wrap the game up and Proteas need 392 for victory.
