On Day 3 (Wednesday, December 13), Prasidh Krishna shined with the ball for India A against South Africa A in the current inaugural unofficial Test at Potchefstroom.
Krishna concluded with a stunning 43/5 stint that included the prized scalp of centurion Jean du Plessis. With his last four wickets, including a hat-trick, he promptly wrapped up the tail as India A knocked out SA A for 319 runs in 98.1 overs.
The Indian team for the two-match Test series in South Africa includes Krishna. After giving up 68 runs in the third Twenty20 International, which Australia won by five wickets, he was left out of the white-ball team. However, he subsequently took four wickets in three Twenty20 Internationals, including 3/41 during the home series against Australia.
Despite not having played in a Test match yet, Krishna has taken 49 wickets for Karnataka in 11 first-class matches. In order to help the tourists win their first-ever red-ball series in South Africa, he will now try to seize the chance in the next Test matches.
Prasidh Krishna’s fifer in the unofficial Test versus South Africa A elicited conflicting comments from fans on X (previously Twitter). One user commented:
“Whatever happens we need to win this test series at any cost!”
Here are some more responses:
Prasidh Krishna’s brilliant bowling helps India A bowl out South Africa A for 319
South Africa A scored 319 in their first innings, led by Jean du Plessis and Rubin Hermann. Plessis scored 106 runs from 213 balls, including one six and eight boundaries. Herman fell short of a well-deserved century, reaching 95 off 146 balls with 15 boundaries. Connor Esterhuizen contributed 48 points out of 54, including two maximums and six boundaries.
Saurabh Kumar, in addition to Prasidh Krishna, took three wickets for India. A. Vidwath Kaverappa and Shardul Thakur each took one wicket.
After 14 overs, India were 80/2 with Pradosh Ranjan Paul and Sarfaraz Khan at the crease. Siya Plaatjie made the first South Africa A breakthrough, bowling Sai Sudharsan for 14(18), while Evan Jones dismissed Devdutt Padikkal 30 (37).
The first Test between India and South Africa will begin on December 26 at Centurion. On the same day, the second unofficial Test between the A teams will commence.
