IND A vs SA A | Shubman Gill, Karun Nair dominate South African bowlers on Day 1
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Shubman Gill and Karun Nair made the South African bowlers toil hard on Day 1 of the second unofficial test in Mysore as India ended the day on 233/3. While Gill unfortunately fell in the nervous nineties for the second time in as many innings, Nair will resume Day 2 on 78 in quest of a century.
Brief scores: IND A 233-3 in 74 overs (Shubman Gill 92, Karun Nair 78* and Wiaan Mulder 1/19) at the end of Day 1.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, South Africa got off to the perfect start as they dismissed India hopeful and newly-appointed Bengal skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran for five runs in just the sixth over. Moments after the one-hour mark, all-rounder Wiaan Mulder removed Priyank Panchal for six, leaving India 'A' tottering at 31-2 on a relatively flat deck.
However, the Proteas hopes were soon shut down by the duo of Karun Nair and Shubman Gill, who put on a sublime 135-run stand for the third wicket, grinding down the South African bowlers - including a certain Philander - with every passing hour. But eight runs short of his hundred, Gill, who has been recently called up to the Indian Test team, threw his wicket away as he fell in the nineties for the second match in succession.
But once again that wicket turned out to be nothing but false klaxon for the Proteas as Nair then stitched an unbeaten 67-run partnership with Wriddhiman Saha to put the hosts in complete control. But soon after, the heavens opened up and play was called off for the day, with India 'A' on 233/3 in 74 overs.
On Day 2, Nair, who has been in impeccable form of late - having scored 99, 166*, 90 and 20 in his last four innings - will be hoping to bring up his 15th first-class century and send a timely reminder to the selectors about his presence.
