India A’s chase of 275 against South Africa A in the 1st Unofficial Test has hit a terrifying skid on Day 3, with three early wickets tumbling to leave the hosts reeling at a precarious score. The collapse, including the prized scalp of Sai Sudharsan, has piled immense pressure on captain Rishabh Pant, whose explosive batting might be the last hope in this rain-interrupted clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Earlier, India A’s bowlers scripted a gritty comeback, bundling out South Africa A for a modest 199 in their second innings, setting up the tense target. Spinner Tanush Kotian stole the show with a match-haul of eight wickets, including four in the second dig, while pacer Anshul Kamboj chipped in with three scalps. Their combined efforts turned the tide after South Africa A’s first-innings lead of 76 runs, forcing a chase that now teeters on the edge.

Sudharsan’s dismissal — a tentative prod outside off — epitomized India A’s woes, following cheap falls of openers Mayank Agarwal and Tilak Varma. With the scoreboard reading something like 50/3 (unofficial updates pending), Pant strode in amid roars from the sparse crowd, his aggressive mindset the wildcard in this low-scoring thriller. South Africa A’s seamers, led by Mihlali Mayabo, have exploited the seaming conditions masterfully.

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As shadows lengthen over Chinnaswamy, all eyes lock on Pant’s blade — can the fiery keeper-batter unleash a counterattack to haul India A over the line? Or will South Africa A seal a morale-boosting win? The final sessions promise nail-biting drama in this unofficial Test, a crucial prep for both sides ahead of senior internationals.

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