The second unofficial Test between India A and South Africa A kicked off on November 6, 2025, at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, and what a riveting start it’s been! With both teams fielding a host of Test regulars, this contest has all the makings of a main event, not just a preparatory fixture. The stakes are high, the anticipation palpable, and the action on the field has already delivered drama, skill, and a few heart-stopping moments.
South Africa A’s captain Temba Bavuma, returning from injury, won the toss and put India A in to bat under overcast skies. The decision seemed to pay off early, with the South African bowlers extracting just enough seam movement from the wicket to trouble the Indian top order. By lunch, India A found themselves at 85 for 4, with South Africa A firmly on top. The morning session was a reminder that this wasn’t just a warm-up; it was a battle for pride and a chance for fringe players to stake their claim for higher honors.
India A’s lineup is brimming with talent and experience. KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran opened the innings, but Easwaran fell early, adjudged leg-before to a sharp delivery that nipped back just enough. Rahul, however, looked composed, stroking elegant boundaries off the front and back foot. He was joined by B Sai Sudharsan, who played a couple of crisp drives and kept the scoreboard ticking. The pair added some stability, but wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals, with Van Vuuren and Subrayen making crucial breakthroughs. Devdutt Padikkal and Sudharsan were dismissed in quick succession, leaving India A in a spot of bother.
Enter Rishabh Pant. The India A captain, fresh off a match-winning 90 in the previous game, strode to the crease with typical swagger. Despite a minor injury scare when he was struck on the thumb, Pant shrugged off the pain and counter-attacked, sweeping and pulling with authority. He raced to 24 before mistiming a lofted shot to mid-off, much to the delight of the South African fielders. As Pant departed, the South Africans sensed an opportunity to run through the lower order.
But Dhruv Jurel, batting at number six, had other ideas. Jurel’s fifty, brought up in just 62 balls, was a lesson in grit and shot selection. He began his innings with a statement—dancing down the track to launch Subrayen for a six over long on. Jurel then unfurled a series of cuts, drives, and deft placements, finding the boundary with regularity. His partnership with Harsh Dubey steadied the innings, even as wickets continued to tumble at the other end. Harsh contributed with a few boundaries of his own, but was eventually cleaned up by Van Vuuren, who bowled with impressive control and pace.
As the session wore on, the South African bowlers kept the pressure on. Subrayen’s off-spin and Van Vuuren’s seamers exploited every bit of assistance the surface had to offer. Akash Deep was undone by a peach from Subrayen, and India A found themselves at 134 for 7 after 41 overs. The situation was tense, but Jurel remained unfazed, farming the strike and rotating the scoreboard with singles and the occasional boundary.
One of the more dramatic moments of the day came when Kuldeep Yadav, new to the crease, was involved in a collision with the South African wicketkeeper while running between the wickets. The physios rushed out, and Kuldeep underwent concussion tests. Fortunately for India A, he was cleared to continue, showing composure as he defended stoutly and supported Jurel at the other end.
Looking at the squads, it’s clear both teams are using this match as a dress rehearsal for the upcoming official Test series, which begins on November 14. India A’s XI features several players expected to play key roles in the senior side: KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, and Akash Deep. South Africa A, too, has its Test captain Temba Bavuma leading from the front, alongside promising talents like Marques Ackerman, Okuhle Cele, and Prenelan Subrayen. The intensity on display is a testament to the significance of this encounter for both camps.
Fans following the action have had to rely on live streaming via JioHotstar, as the match is not being broadcast on television in India. Still, the online audience has been treated to a contest full of momentum swings and individual brilliance. According to the match preview, "The ‘A’ tours that countries embark on are like shadow sojourns. Shadow, because these teams are filled with National-team aspirants and players who mirror the qualities of the nation’s first-choice XI, with the expectation being that they are ready to jump in when the eventual call-up comes." This sentiment rings especially true in Bengaluru, with so many Test squad members in action and every performance under the microscope.
The previous unofficial Test saw India A chase down 275 runs for a three-wicket win, with Rishabh Pant’s 90 anchoring the pursuit. This time, with the South African bowlers maintaining relentless pressure, the Indian batters have had to dig deep. The likes of Van Vuuren and Subrayen have impressed with their consistency and ability to strike at crucial moments, while India A’s middle and lower order have shown flashes of resilience.
As things stand, India A are 137 for 7, with Jurel still at the crease and Kuldeep offering support. The South Africans have their tails up, but with Jurel’s determination and the depth in India A’s batting, the match remains finely poised. The next session promises more twists and turns—will India A’s lower order rally to post a competitive total, or can South Africa A wrap things up quickly and seize control?
With the official Test series looming, performances here could well influence selection and momentum. For now, all eyes remain on the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, where the contest is very much alive and every run, wicket, and partnership could tip the scales.
Stay tuned as the action unfolds, with both teams eager to make a statement ahead of the big series. The stakes may be unofficial, but the intensity and ambition on display are anything but.
