At the Niranjan Shah Stadium, in a dominating showing, South Africa A escaped India’s clean sweep, a 73-run win in the third and last informal ODI by closing.
Turning around what had been a difficult series for the visitors, the emphatic performance was based on a blistering opening partnership and analytical bowling.
Leading the charge were Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Rivaldo Moonsamy, who sewed together a huge 241-run opening stand in only 37.1 overs.
Pretorius blew with 123 off 98 balls, punctuated with nine boundaries and six sixes; Moonsamy played a more controlled but just as significant innings of 107, holding the innings at a modest strike rate.
Their excellent cooperation helped South Africa A. One post a strong 325/6 in their allocated 50 overs. Delano Potgieter came late to give a flourish, scoring 30 off 15 balls to send the overall score over the 320 level.
Can South Africa A’s bowlers turn the tide? And did they?
Yes, much owing to a strong charm by Nqabayomzi Peter, who scored 4/48 and applied critical pressure during India. The pursuit of A. India A started with optimism and went to 31 inside the first four overs, yet their innings quickly fell apart. Tshepo Moreki slammed with 3/58, knocking Abhishek Sharma, while Bjorn Fortuin and Potgieter chipped in scalps to slow the chase.
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A strong partnership of 88 runs between Ishan Kishan and Ayush Badoni, for a moment, resurrected the hopes of the Indian team.
Wickets dropped once Kishan fell, though; India, from 201/5, collapsed under stress. Striking again, Nqabayomzi Peter finished the innings and sent the home side all out for 252 in 49.1 overs.
The victory let South Africa A retrieve some pride from a string they otherwise struggled in, finishing with a strong all-round performance comprising two hundreds and disciplined bowling.