South Africa A Dominate in Rajkot to Secure Consolation Win
The third unofficial ODI between India A and South Africa A in Rajkot delivered a powerful display of all-round cricket from the visiting side, as Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Rivaldo Moonsamy starred with ball and bat. South Africa A posted a competitive 325/7, and then bundled out India A for 252, securing a 73-run victory to end the three-match series on a high note.
SA A’s Strong Start and Key Contributions
South Africa A’s innings was anchored by a solid start from their top order and punctuated by timely finishes from lower-middle order batters. The visitors posted an impressive 325/7, a total that proved just enough given India A’s intent and talent in the chase. Pretorius, who later starred with the ball, opened up the field with a measured innings that set the tone for SA A’s middle overs. Moonsamy contributed crucial runs in the latter part of the innings, providing momentum and acceleration at the right moments.
Impactful Moments with the Bat
Pretorius’ captain’s knock and steady boundary finding created a backbone for SA A’s innings. Moonsamy, meanwhile, anchored the middle to lower order, stitching important partnerships and ensuring SA A posted a defendable total. The duo’s ability to rotate strike and convert partnerships into with the aim of posting a challenging score showcased the depth in South Africa A’s batting lineup.
India A’s Batting Efforts: Half-Centuries but Not Enough
In response, India A chased a challenging target, led by a pair of half-centuries from Ayush Badoni and another notable effort by a teammate. Badoni, in particular, looked fluent, playing inclusive cricket with a mix of boundaries and singles. India A’s middle order tried to build a steady march towards the target, but consistent breakthroughs by the SA A bowlers halted their progress. The chase gradually slipped out of reach as key wickets fell at critical junctures.
Bowling Brilliance from SA A
South Africa A’s bowling unit put the brakes on the Indian chase with discipline and variation. Lhuan-dre Pretorius showcased his all-round capabilities by contributing with two or more crucial breakthroughs, while support from the other bowlers applied steady pressure. The fielding unit complemented the bowling effort with sharp catches and well-placed field placements that kept India A’s scoring in check in the middle overs.
Standout Players and Series Takeaways
For South Africa A, Pretorius delivered a captain’s performance—calm, measured, and impactful in pressure moments. Moonsamy’s late-order hitting underscored SA A’s depth, and his boundary-making ability swung momentum at important times. India A, while showing flashes of talent in Badoni’s 50 and other contributions, could not convert their starts into a successful chase, giving SA A a deserved victory in the final unofficial ODI.
What This Means Moving Forward
The series served as a valuable platform for both squads to assess bench strength, youngster graft, and the tactical plans that can be scaled up for senior duties. For SA A, the win builds confidence in their depth, especially in the spin and pace-bowling departments. For India A, the challenge now is to translate individual fifties into a complete team performance in future unofficial cricket fixtures and find the right balance in the batting order.
Final Thoughts
The 3rd unofficial ODI at Rajkot capped a competitive series with a clear takeaway: South Africa A’s all-round cricket, led by Pretorius and Moonsamy, earned a convincing 73-run victory. As both teams continue to develop their pipeline of talent, moments like these provide crucial data points for selectors and coaches aiming to build depth for future international duties.
