IND-A vs SA-A: Panchal hits hundred but match ends in draw

Priyank Panchal (109, 192b) shone brightly on the last day of the drawn second Test’ between India-A and South Africa-A.

Priyank Panchal brought up his hundred with a lovely cover drive boundary off Piedt, coming down the track to meet the pitch of the ball.

Priyank Panchal (109, 192b) shone brightly on the last day of the second and final Test’ between India-A and South Africa-A, at SDNR Wadiyar Stadium here on Friday. With the match heading to a certain draw, the players shook hands and walked off the field at the stroke of tea.

Panchal put on a show, blasting nine fours and four sixes during his four-hour stay at the crease. He was confident against Test spinner Dane Piedt, lofting him cleanly for two straight sixes. The 29-year-old brought up his hundred with a lovely cover drive boundary off Piedt, coming down the track to meet the pitch of the ball. Panchal’s visit came to an end when he was caught and bowled by left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy.

Abhimanyu Easwaran (37, 93b, 3x4) fell to Piedt, attempting a cut too close to the body and losing his stumps. Shubman Gill was sent back for zero, chipping one from Piedt straight to short mid-on. Karun Nair, who scored 78 in the first essay, was once again in fine form. The Karnataka batsman cruised to an unbeaten 99-ball 51.

The intensity in the action sharply declined when part-time spinners Aiden Markram and Khaya Zondo came into the attack.

 

The intensity in the action sharply declined when part-time spinners Aiden Markram and Khaya Zondo came into the attack. It was only a matter of time before play would be called off.

It has been a successful series for the home team, having won both the one-day and 'Test' outings (4-1 and 1-0 respectively). India-A head coach and former Saurashtra cricketer Sitanshu Kotak stated, “Given the hugely skilled players we have in our squad, we did expect to do well in this series. Credit to (BCCI General Manager) Saba Karim, (National Cricket Academy head) Rahul Dravid and the BCCI for the way these ‘A’ tours have been scheduled.

"Every senior India tour is preceded by an India-A tour, which is great for the players to get valuable match practice. For example, in this match, we lost the toss and were put in to bat. The conditions heavily favoured the pacers, but our top-four did very well to play out the danger. If this same situation happens in an international match, our guys will be well prepared for it.”