Spinners Strike: Tanush Kotian and Manav Suthar Lead India A's Fightback as South Africa A Reach 299/9 on Day 1

India A's spin twins Tanush Kotian and Manav Suthar orchestrated a superb comeback on Day 1 of the first unofficial Test against South Africa A at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Thursday, restricting the visitors to 299/9 despite a commanding century partnership that threatened to take the game away. In what marked Rishabh Pant's much-anticipated return to competitive cricket as captain, India's bowlers—led by off-spinner Kotian's four-wicket haul—clawed back control after the tourists' openers laid a solid foundation.

The Hermann-Hamza Show

Winning the toss and electing to field first, India A made an early breakthrough when pacer Anshul Kamboj had opener Lesego Senokwane caught behind for a duck in the fourth over, with Pant gleefully accepting the chance behind the stumps. But what followed was a masterclass in patience and partnership-building from Jordan Hermann (71) and Zubayr Hamza (66), who stitched together a 130-run stand for the second wicket that left India's bowlers searching for answers.

Hermann started aggressively, peppering Khaleel Ahmed with boundaries before settling into a more measured rhythm alongside Hamza. The right-hander played a typically fluent innings filled with crisp cuts and flowing drives, bringing up his fifty off just 73 balls with a lofted drive over mid-off for six off Kotian—a shot that announced his intent.

Hamza, meanwhile, was more sedate, reaching his half-century in 85 balls. His most belligerent moment came via a reverse sweep off Manav Suthar, but otherwise, he played the anchor role to perfection. By lunch, South Africa A had reached 108/1, and the visitors appeared to be cruising toward a dominant first-innings total.

India Strikes Back in the Middle Session

The second session proved to be the turning point. India's pacers—Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, and Gurnoor Brar—returned with renewed intensity, peppering the batters with well-directed short-pitched deliveries that extracted some bounce and carry from the Bengaluru surface.

The breakthrough came when Hamza attempted an audacious ramp shot off Brar (1/45) and was caught behind by Pant for 66. The dismissal sparked a mini-collapse, with India claiming three wickets in the session while conceding just 85 runs.

Skipper Marques Ackerman (18) fell uppishly to Kotian, flicking one straight to Suthar inside the circle, while the prized scalp of Jordan Hermann came courtesy of an LBW decision in favor of Kotian—a call that left the batsman visibly unhappy as he trudged off for 71.

Rivaldo Moonsamy (6) lasted just seven balls, edging left-arm spinner Suthar (2/62) to Ayush Badoni in the cordon, as South Africa A slipped from a comfortable 166/1 to a precarious 197/5 by tea.

The Hermann Brothers' Resistance

Just when India seemed poised to run through the tail, Rubin Hermann—elder brother of Jordan—and Tiaan van Vuuren (42) conjured a spirited 72-run partnership for the sixth wicket that threatened to take the game beyond India's grasp.

Rubin, riding on a combination of pluck and luck, brought up his fifty in 82 balls, playing some aggressive strokes while also benefiting from a few edges that flew safely through the gaps. Van Vuuren provided solid support from the other end, looking comfortable as the duo frustrated India's bowlers in the final session.

However, Kotian—who had been India's most impressive bowler all day—produced a beauty that snuck below Hermann's pull shot and crashed into the stumps, ending the partnership and giving India A fresh hope. Hermann departed for 54, having given his side crucial momentum when it was most needed.

Kotian Completes a Four-Wicket Haul

The Mumbai all-rounder wasn't done yet. Just two overs after dismissing Rubin, Kotian bowled Prenelan Subrayen through the gate to claim his fourth wicket of the innings, finishing the day with figures of 4/83 from 26 overs—a performance that underlined his growing reputation as a red-ball spin bowling all-rounder.

Manav Suthar, the left-arm spinner from Rajasthan, provided excellent support with 2/62, including the key wicket of van Vuuren four runs short of his half-century. Khaleel Ahmed (1/45) claimed the final wicket of the day in the 86th over, leaving South Africa A just one run short of 300 with one wicket remaining.

At stumps, Tshepo Moreki was unbeaten on 4* off 38 balls, with Okuhle Cele yet to face a delivery.

Pant's Return: Positive Signs Behind the Stumps For Rishabh Pant, this was his first competitive outing since fracturing the fifth metatarsal of his right foot during the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford in July. The 28-year-old showed some initial rustiness behind the stumps—taking a bit of time to settle into his rhythm and adjust to the surface and bowlers—but once he found his groove, he was tidy and sharp.

Pant took a regulation catch off Brar to dismiss Hamza and was involved in a stumping chance that went begging, but overall, the signs were encouraging for someone returning from a three-month layoff. True to form, Pant also provided entertainment through the stump mic with his trademark one-liners and chatter, much to the amusement of his teammates and those watching.

Kishan Replaces Injured Jagadeesan

In a last-minute change to the squad, Ishan Kishan—who was not part of the original 15-member squad—replaced N Jagadeesan after the Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper-batter picked up a hand injury during training on the eve of the match. Kishan, who has been out of the Indian setup for several months, will be looking to make a statement with both bat and gloves in this series.

What Awaits on Day 2

India A will look to wrap up South Africa A's innings quickly on Friday morning, with Kotian and the pacers eyeing the final wicket. The hosts will then need their batters—led by vice-captain Sai Sudharsan and youngsters Ayush Mhatre and Devdutt Padikkal—to build a substantial first-innings lead.

For South Africa A, Moreki and Cele will aim to add a few valuable runs and push the total past 310, giving their bowlers something to defend. With the pitch offering assistance to spinners, the second innings could prove decisive in determining the outcome of this four-day contest.