What took place in the ODI series between South Africa A and India A, which saw the hosts win 2-1.
Written By: Stuart Judge
First Unofficial ODI:
The first unofficial ODI was held on 13 November 2025. South Africa A won the toss and elected to bat first.
The following players were selected: Rivaldo Moonsamy, Rubin Hermann (wk), Jordan Hermann, Marques Ackerman (c), Sinethemba Qeshile, Dian Forrester, Delano Potgieter, Bjorn Fortuin, Tiaan van Vuuren, Tshepo Moreki, and Ottniel Baartman.
South Africa’s top-order batters struggled to make significant contributions. Most of the team’s runs came from the middle and lower order, with Dian Forrester, Delano Potgieter, and Bjorn Fortuin guiding the team to 285 for 9 at the end of their 50 overs.
Dian Forrester continued his strong form from the Bangladesh series, scoring 77 off 83 balls, including 4 fours and 4 sixes, before being caught by Kishan off Parag’s bowling.
Coming in at number 7, Delano Potgieter impressed with 90 off 105 balls, hitting 10 fours and 1 six, before being caught by Kishan off Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Bjorn Fortuin contributed 59 off 56 balls, striking at 105.35 with 8 fours, before being caught by Parag off Harshit Rana.
Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 117 off 129 balls, including 12 fours, before being bowled by Tiaan van Vuuren. Van Vuuren also dismissed Parag LBW.
In addition to his batting, Bjorn Fortuin took 2 wickets for 50 runs, dismissing Abhishek Sharma (caught by Moonsamy) and Kishan (caught by Hermann). Ottniel Baartman also claimed two wickets, removing Varma (39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (37), finishing with figures of 2 for 51 off 9.3 overs.
Despite these efforts, South Africa A lost the first ODI by 4 wickets, with Gaikwad’s innings proving crucial for India A.
Second Unofficial ODI:
The second ODI took place on 16 November 2025. South Africa A once again won the toss and elected to bat first.
The team selected was: Lhuan‑dre Pretorius (wk), Rivaldo Moonsamy, Jordan Hermann, Marques Ackerman (c), Sinethemba Qeshile, Dian Forrester, Delano Potgieter, Prenelan Subrayen, Nqabayomzi Peter, Lutho Sipamla, and Ottniel Baartman.
None of the batters scored above 50 in the first innings. Moonsamy was the top scorer with 33 off 34 balls. Other notable contributions included Lhuan‑dre Pretorius (21 off 26), Dian Forrester (22 off 30), and Delano Potgieter (22 off 43). South Africa A finished on just 132 for 10 off 30.2 overs.
India A comfortably chased the target, winning by 9 wickets. Gaikwad remained not out on 68 off 83 balls, hitting 9 fours. Fellow opener Abhishek Sharma scored 32 off 22 before being dismissed by Sipamla, caught by Pretorius.
Third Unofficial ODI:
The third ODI was played on 19 November 2025. India A won the toss and elected to field.
South Africa A’s selected XI: Lhuan‑dre Pretorius, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Marques Ackerman (c), Sinethemba Qeshile (wk), Rubin Hermann, Dian Forrester, Delano Potgieter, Lutho Sipamla, Nqabayomzi Peter, Bjorn Fortuin, and Tshepo Moreki.
Pretorius top scored with 123 off 98 balls, including 9 fours and 6 sixes, before being caught by Varma off Krishna’s bowling. Moonsamy also impressed with 107 off 130 balls before being given out LBW to Krishna. No other batter reached 50, but South Africa A posted a competitive total of 325 for 6.
In response, India A were restricted to 252 all out in 49.1 overs. Nqabayomzi Peter was the standout bowler, taking 4 for 48 in 10 overs, supported by Moreki, who claimed 3 for 58 off 9.1 overs.
South Africa A won the third ODI by 73 runs but lost the series 2-1. Congratulations to both teams for an entertaining and competitive series.
