It was India all the way as it moved into a position of comfort on the opening day of the second four-day warm-up match against South Africa under-19 at the Sports Hub, Kariyavattom, on Tuesday.
Having won the first game last week within three days, India’s dominance was pronounced as it contained the rival to a modest 152 in 54.4 overs and then quickly moved within 40 runs of gaining the lead, finishing the day at 112 for two in 34.5 overs.
It did seem initially as if South Africa U19 had won a good toss. Its openers Ruan Tremblanche and Thamsanqa Kumalo weathered the Indian pace attack reasonably well before the slide came about when spin was introduced by Indian skipper Suraj Ahuja.
Wickets fell at regular intervals as Hrithik Shokeen and Manishi took control.
Only Tremblanche, who compiled a pleasing 51, and Bryce Parsons, coming up with a stroke-filled 64, stood up to the Indian bowling. Manishi, with his variations, proved instrumental in the downfall of the visitors with a fine five for 58 off 17.4 overs. India, in reply, started off badly losing Divyaansh Saxena rather cheaply, but was driven out of trouble by Yashasvi Bhupendra Jaiswal, who came good at the right moment.
He tore into the South African attack with a masterly unbeaten 81 and was also engaged in a pleasing 102-run partnership with Vathsal Govind. the latter’s dismissal brought down the curtains on the day’s play.
The scores: South Africa U19 152 in 54.5 overs (Bryce Parsons 64, Ruan Tremblanche 51, Manishi five for 58) vs India U19 112 for two in 34.5 overs (Yashasvi Bhupendra Jaiswal 81 not out).