Shardul Thakur and Shubman Gill shine as South Africa A restricted to 164; India A ends day on 129/2

K Gowtham also picked three wickets.

The 1^st unofficial Test between India A and South Africa A got underway at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram. India A captain Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bowl first.

The decision proved to be quite effective as South Africa A were reduced to 70/7 by some amazing bowling from Shardul Thakur, who picked 3/29. Though the tailenders helped SA A make 164 with Marco Jansen making 45, Dane Piedt making 33 and Wiaan Mulder making 21; K Gowtham ensured that the innings came to a swift end with 3/64.

Shahbaz Nadeem (2/37) and Mohammed Siraj (1/20) were the other wicket-takers for India A.

In reply, India A lost Ruturaj Gaikwad for 30 to Jansen and Bhui to Ngidi for 26. Skipper Gill ended the day on 66* with 9 fours and 1 six, while Bawane is unbeaten on 6, as India A made 129/2.

BRIEF SCORES:
SA-A 164 (M JANSEN 45; S THAKUR 3/29) leads IND-A 129/2 (S GILL 66*, R GAIKWAD 30) by 35 runs