India A defeated South Africa in the only practice game for the visitors before the mega limited-overs series, which starts on 2 October in Dharamsala with the 1st T20I. The visitors, despite a great batting effort, failed to restrict the India A batsmen as the home team chased a target of 189 runs with two balls to spare at the Airforce Complex ground in Palam, New Delhi.
Mayank Agarwal and Manan Vohra were the standout performers for India A with the bat, as they stroked theiy way to 87 and 56 runs respectively to help their team emerge victorious.
The opening pair of Agarwal and Vohra provided India A a flying start as they amassed 119 runs for the first wicket, which provided a solid platform for an India A win. The South African bowlers were thrashed all around the park, especially Kyle Abbott and Kagiso Rabada, who were taken to the cleaners in their opening spells.
It was a comfortable win for India A, who won it by eight wickets. Sanju Samson and Mandeep Singh scored 31 and 12 respectively, as both finished the match not out.
Earlier in the day, the South Africa batsmen did put up a good show with the bat, as big guns such as JP Duminy, AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis tore apart the India A bowlers.
Duminy looked in outstanding form, as the left-hander scored 68 runs from 32 ball, which included six sixes and two fours.
Despite the defeat, the South African batsmen have started the tour well. However, their bowlers need to come up with a better performance against India in Dharamsala on Friday.
With bowlers such as Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn not included in the T20 squad, the onus was on Abbott and Kagiso, along with spinner Imrah Tahir, but they were all spanked around the ground by the Indian batsmen in the successful chase.
