India A made a strong start against South Africa A in the first Unofficial ODI of the three-match series at Rajkot on Thursday, with the pace duo of Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna dismantling the visitors’ top order. After skipper Marques Ackerman opted to bat first, South Africa A found themselves in deep trouble early on, losing four wickets for minimal runs. The challenge now rests with Rivaldo Moonsamy and wicketkeeper-batter Sinethemba Qeshile, who are trying to steady the innings after the early onslaught.

Prasidh Krishna drew first blood by dismissing South African captain Marques Ackerman for a duck, setting the tone for India A’s aggressive start. Arshdeep Singh continued the momentum with his sharp swing and disciplined lines, claiming two key wickets within the first few overs. His early breakthroughs rattled the visitors and exposed their middle order far earlier than they had planned. The disciplined approach from both Indian pacers forced the South African batters into defensive mistakes on a pitch offering early movement.

India A, led by rising star Tilak Varma, fielded a balanced lineup blending youth and experience. The top order featured Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, and Riyan Parag—players who have been impressive in domestic circuits and recent T20 tournaments. On the bowling front, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana opened the attack with pace and precision, while spinners are expected to play a pivotal role as the game progresses on a surface known to assist turn in the second innings.

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South Africa A, meanwhile, will rely heavily on Moonsamy and Qeshile to rebuild the innings and push the total toward a competitive score. The early collapse has left them under immense pressure, particularly after a few soft dismissals compounded their woes. The visiting side’s middle order now faces a stern test against India A’s spinner-friendly lineup once the ball loses its shine.

This match marks the beginning of a crucial series for both teams, serving as a testing ground for young talent ahead of future senior tours. For India A, it’s a chance to assess next-generation players set to step into the national setup, while South Africa A will look to regroup and bounce back in the remaining matches. With India A’s bowlers dominating the early exchanges, the spotlight now shifts to whether South Africa A can script a fightback or crumble further under pressure.

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