South Africa 'A' Achieves Record-Breaking 417-Run Chase Against India 'A' in Bengaluru

Historic Chase Levels Series

The South Africa 'A' cricket team made history on Sunday, November 9, 2025, by successfully chasing down a monumental target of 417 runs against India 'A' in the second unofficial Test held at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1 in Bengaluru. This extraordinary five-wicket victory not only leveled the two-match series at 1-1 but also set a new record for the highest successful run chase in 'A' team cricket history.

Batting Brilliance Seals Victory

Resuming their innings on Day 4 at 25 for no loss, with 392 runs still required, the South African 'A' batsmen displayed exceptional resilience and skill. The foundation for the chase was laid by openers Jordan Hermann, who scored 91 runs off 123 balls, and Lesego Senokwane, contributing 77 runs off 174 balls. Their impressive 156-run opening partnership provided the crucial impetus.

Following their dismissals, Zubayr Hamza (77 runs off 88 balls) and Proteas Test captain Temba Bavuma (59 runs off 101 balls) further solidified the innings with a vital 107-run stand for the third wicket. The chase was ultimately completed by wicketkeeper Connor Esterhuizen, who remained unbeaten on 52 runs off 53 balls, supported by Tiaan van Vuuren's 20 not out off 23 balls, guiding their team to victory with three overs to spare.

Match Context and Key Performances

India 'A', captained by Rishabh Pant, had set the challenging target after posting 255 in their first innings and 382 for 7 declared in their second. Notable performances for India 'A' included Dhruv Jurel's two centuries (132 not out and 127 not out) and Rishabh Pant's 65 runs in the second innings. South Africa 'A' captain Marques Ackerman had scored 134 in their first innings of 221.

Despite the efforts of India 'A' bowlers like Prasidh Krishna (2/49), Mohammed Siraj (1/53), and Akash Deep (1/106), the South African 'A' batsmen maintained their composure throughout the chase. This victory marks a significant achievement for South Africa 'A', being the sixth-highest successful fourth-innings total in a first-class match in India.