- By Namrata Vijay
- Thu, 13 Nov 2025 11:35 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
IND-A vs SA-A 1st Unofficial ODI: Ruturaj Gaikwad's brilliant hundred helped India A beat South Africa A in the first unofficial ODI in Rajkot on Thursday. Gaikwad had scored his 17th List A ton, as he had scored a brilliant 117 off 129 balls, in which he had 12 fours.
On the back of his knock, the host chased the target of 286 runs in 49.3 overs and is leading the three-match series 1-0. Gaikwad, along with Abhishek Sharma, had stitched a partnership of 64 runs for the first wicket off 57 balls. He then built a partnership of 89 runs for the third wicket, skipper Tilak Varma leading the team from the front.
Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was released from India's Test team, also made a significant contribution by scoring a gritty knock of 37 runs off 27 balls. He had built a 65-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Nishant Sandhu and took the team across the line as Harshit Rana had hit the winning six in the last over.
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As far as the visitors are concerned, Tiaan van Vuuren (2/64), Bjorn Fortuin (2/50), and Ottniel Baartman (2/51 in 9.3 overs) took two wickets each, but their efforts went in vain.
Arshdeep and Prasidh run through South Africa's top order
Initially, the Indian bowlers dominated as Arshdeep Singh (2/59) and Prasidh Krishna (1/57) starred with the new ball and left the visitors reeling for 16/4 as Nishant Sandhu also took the wicket of Sinethemba Qeshile (15 off 20) and left the visitors tottering at 53/5.
And just when the visitors were about to lose, Dian Forrester (77 off 83) and Delano Potgieter (90 off 105) helped them bounce back by stitching a partnership of 113 runs for the sixth wicket. Riyan Parag ended this partnership by taking the wicket of Forrester, but then Potgieter held the innings from one end.
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He was assisted well by Bjorn Fortuin as they had stitched a partnership of 87 runs for the seventh wicket. The visitors posted a respectable target of 285/9. Since the host are leading the series by 1-0, they will aim to repeat their heroics in the second match, which will be held later this week.