Shubman Gill continued his form scoring a half-century on Day One of the unofficial Test (File Photo)India A vs South Africa A, Ind A vs SA A 1st Test, Day 2 Highlights: The Shubman Gill-led India A are in total control of the first unofficial Test as they trail by just 35 runs with eight wickets in hand. At Day 1, Stumps, Gill was batting on 66 whereas Ankit Bawne was batting on 6. Proteas bowling spearhead Lungi Ngidi and youngster Marco Jansen picked one wicket each.
Earlier, the hosts won the toss and elected to bowl first. The visitors got off to a horrible start losing both their openers, skipper Aiden Markram and Pieter Malan for a duck. 19-year-old Jansen turned out to be the top-scorer with an unbeaten 45. Shardul Thakur, Krishanappa Gowtham picked up three wickets each whereas Shahbaz Nadeem and Mohammed Siraj picked two and one wicket respectively.
Stumps!
It's the close of play on Day 2 as hosts push South Africa A on the back foot. Heinrich Klaasen, who's batting on 33 from 55 balls, along with Wiaan Mulder (12 off 18) will resume the Proteas innings on Day 3. SA A: 125/5 (trail by 14 runs)
WICKET!
Zubayr Hamza falls short by six runs from completing his half-century as K Gowtham removes the right-handed batsman on 44. SA A: 95/5 (trail by 44 runs)
Shahbaz Nadeem strikes
Shahbaz Nadeem strikes as South Africa lose their fourth wicket. Senuran Muthusamy departs for 4 as South Africa reach 60/4 at the end of 20 overs. The visitors are still trailing by 79 runs.
WICKET!
Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem strikes, Khaya Zondo departs for 10. SA A - 38/3 in 11.5 overs, trail by 101 runs
SA A rebuild
Zubayr Hamza and Khaya Zhondo rebuild South Africa A's innings after two early blows. Hamza is batting on 19, Zondo is batting on 10. SA A - 38/2 in 11 overs, trail by 101 runs
Markram departs
Another wicket! Shardul Thakur takes the wicket of South Africa A captain Aiden Markram. A huge wicket for India A as Markram departs for 4. SA A - 14/2 , trail by 125 runs
Visitors off to a dreadful start
The visitors are off to a dreadful start as Pieter Malan is cleaned up by Mohammad Siraj on 4. SA A: 4/1
ALL OUT!
Dane Piedt takes the final wicket as South Africa A bundle out the hosts on 303. They now have a lead of 139 runs.
WICKET!
Lungi Ngidi break the 100-run stand between Shardul Thakur and Jalaj Saxena, as the former departs after scoring 34. After losing wickets in quick succession, the duo helped India A regain control in the match. IND A: 299/8 (lead by 135 runs)
Jalaj Saxena and Shardul Thakur steady things for hosts
Jalaj Saxena and Shardul Thakur stitch an important partnership as the duo add 60 runs for the eight-wicket, helping India A extend their lead by 95 runs. IND A: 259/7
India A extend their lead by 51 runs
India A have extended their lead by 51 runs, as the hosts reach 215/7 at the end of 70 overs. Jalaj Saxena and Shardul Thakur are present at the crease.
Lunch break
Jalaj Saxena is yet to get off the mark whereas Shardul Thakur is batting at 6. The lead is 41 runs. South Africa got five wickets in the first session. IND A - 205/7 in 64 overs at lunch break
Two quick wickets
Lutho Sipamla strikes. Srikar Bharat and Krishnappa Gowtham lose their wickets. Bharat scored 33 runs from 53 deliveries whereas Gotham bagged a duck. The visitors will be looking to mop-up the tail quickly and keep the lead to a minimum. Jalaj Saxena and Shardul Thakur are in the middle. IND A - 204/7, lead by 40 runs
WICKET!
Shivam Dube fails to continue his form in the red-ball format. The all-rounder departs for eight runs from 19 deliveries. Lungi Ngidi takes his second wicket. IND A - 194/5, lead by 30 runs
Gill to replace Rahul?
KL Rahul has been struggling at the top of the order in Test cricket. With Shubman Gill in form, he may be an ideal candidate to open for India when they take on South Africa at home to exceed their dominance in World Test Championship.
Gill misses century
Shubman Gill misses out on his century as he departs for 90. Dane Piedt gets the much-needed wicket of the India A opener. IND A - 177/4, lead by 13 runs
Jansen strikes
India A lose Ankit Bawne early in the first session. Bawne could not add a single run to his overnight score as he got out on the second delivery he faced today. Srikar Bharat walks into the middle. Shubman Gill continues to dominate. IND A - 137/3 in 40 overs
Day 2
Hello and welcome to India A vs South Africa A 1st Test, Day 2 live blog. Skipper Shubman Gill is leading from the front and on his way to a century. Jalaj Saxena will also get a chance to show his mettle as he plays against South Africa A. A big score on cards as India A have eight wickets in hand (129 for 2 in 38 overs). Stay tuned for more updates.