Ashwin finds a future star as South Africa 'A' chase down 417 against India Test bowlers

South Africa ‘A’ registered a five-wicket victory over India ‘A’ in the second unofficial Test between the two sides by chasing down a mammoth target of 417 on the fourth and final day of the match.

The victory was even more remarkable as it came against a bowling line-up comprising of Mohammed Siraj (1/53), Akash Deep (1/106), Kuldeep Yadav (0/81), and Prasidh Krishna (2/49). All four of them regularly play Test cricket for India.

The bowling performance from the first-choice Indian bowlers comes as a warning bell ahead of India’s two-match Test series against South Africa which starts Friday.

Five out of the top six batters from South Africa ‘A’ raised half-centuries with opener Jordan Hermann top-scoring with 91. Lesego Senekwane and Zubayr Hamza both got out on 77. South Africa Test skipper Temba Bavuma too warmed up for the upcoming series with a 101-ball 59 while wicketkeeper Connor Esterhuizen guided his side to victory with an unbeaten 52 from just 53 balls.

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Captain Rishabh Pant, who had retired hurt in the second innings while batting, seemed hopeless as South Africa ‘A’ batters made full use of good batting conditions against an undisciplined Indian bowling attack.

Earlier in the game, Dhruv Jurel stole the show with centuries in both the innings.

The result meant the two-match series finished tied at 1-1 as India ‘A’ had won the first game by three wickets.

Ashwin finds ‘player to watch out for’

Esterhuizen who scored an unbeaten 52 was praised by R Ashwin as the player to watch out for in the future.

“Spectacular chase by SA ‘A’, Connor Esterhuizen is a player to watch out for in the future,” the Indian legend wrote on X.

Spectacular chase by SA ‘A’, Connor Esterhuizen is a player to watch out for in the future.

Temba Bavuma warms up with a 50 ahead of the test series too. #SAvIND

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) November 9, 2025

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Ashwin also commended opener Hermann who laid the foundation of the chase but was dismissed by Krishna just nine runs short of his century.

“South Africa ‘A’ led by Jordan Herman are throwing in some punches on day 4 of the Unofficial Test chasing 417. He is batting on 90 against Siraj, Prasidh, Kuldeep and Akash Deep. Whatever happens today, Jordan Herman has made rapid strides in the South African cricket circles,” Ashwin wrote on his X account.