The first unofficial ODI between India A and South Africa A kicked off at the Niranjan Shah Stadium on November 13, 2025, with South Africa A captain Marques Ackerman winning the toss and electing to bat first under partly cloudy skies. This three-match series serves as a crucial preparatory platform for emerging talents from both sides, running parallel to the senior teams' two-Test contest in Kolkata. India A, led by Tilak Varma, fields a dynamic lineup featuring IPL sensations like Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Riyan Parag, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and bowlers Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna, aiming to fine-tune strategies ahead of upcoming international assignments. South Africa A, meanwhile, relies on a mix of provincial stalwarts to build momentum from their recent domestic successes, with the match underscoring the growing depth in associate-level cricket exchanges.

South Africa A's innings began disastrously, slumping to 54/5 after just 12 overs as India A's pace attack exploited early swing and seam movement. Arshdeep Singh led the charge with two early strikes, including the scalps of openers Tony de Zorzi and Tazmin Brits, while Prasidh Krishna and left-arm spinner Nishant Sindhu claimed one wicket apiece to dismantle the top order. The Proteas' middle order crumbled under pressure, but a gritty 128-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Dian Forrester and Delano Potgieter provided a much-needed rescue act. Forrester, anchoring with composure, raced to a resolute 77 off 85 balls before falling to part-time spinner Riyan Parag, caught in the deep, leaving South Africa A at 176/6 in the 33rd over. Potgieter, unbeaten on 74 from 88 deliveries at that stage, continued to rebuild alongside Bjorn Fortuin (20* off 29), pushing the score to 213/6 by the 40th over in a bid for respectability on a batsman-friendly pitch.

Parag's breakthrough wicket highlighted India A's balanced bowling options, blending raw pace with tactical spin variations to keep South Africa A's scoring rate in check at around 5.3 runs per over. Harshit Rana and Vipraj Nigam supported the senior bowlers effectively, maintaining tight lines to prevent any acceleration. For South Africa A, Forrester's innings stood out as a testament to resilience, featuring crisp drives and calculated risks against spin, while Potgieter's knock blended watchful defense with aggressive pulls. The visitors' early collapse exposed vulnerabilities in their batting depth, particularly against left-arm seam, but the partnership injected momentum, setting up a potential total exceeding 250 if the lower order holds firm. India A's fielding remained sharp, with Gaikwad and Kishan effecting crucial stops to build pressure.

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As the match progresses into its latter stages, India A eyes a swift wrap-up to restrict South Africa A below 240, positioning their batsmen favorably for a chase under lights. This encounter not only tests individual form—such as Parag's all-round credentials and Arshdeep's death-over prowess—but also fosters bilateral ties, with both boards viewing the series as a breeding ground for future stars. A competitive finish could yield valuable insights for selectors, especially with the World Cup cycle looming, as young guns vie for spots in the senior setup amid India's packed calendar.

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