By Admin 
Through the three-match One-Day series, India-A hasn’t had too much to sweat — especially in the second game, where it eased past South Africa-A to seal a 2-0 lead.
When they meet on Wednesday for the third game at the Niranjan Shah Stadium here, the visitor has more to play than the host.
Marques Ackerman’s men were more competitive in the red-ball games, drawing that series 1-1, but the gulf in quality has been clearer in the white-ball leg.
India-A has been dominant in both outings: the opener went to the final over, while the second wrapped up inside 58 overs.
Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana and Nishant Sindhu have been central to India-A’s dominance. The pace trio brings experience, while Nishant has been consistent in the ‘A’ setup.
Nishant Sindhu during a practice session at Rajkot on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
VIJAY SONEJI
Ayush Badoni, Riyan Parag and Nitish Kumar have chipped in with useful overs alongside Vipraj Nigam. On Wednesday, Manav Suthar and Khaleel Ahmed — benched so far — could finally get a look-in.
With the bat, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tilak Varma have handled tricky conditions under lights. Ruturaj has been in control, following up his century with an unbeaten 68. How head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar rotates the XI will be worth watching, with Prabhsimran Singh yet to get a game.
For South Africa-A, the task is to lift its collective performance. The visitor hasn’t posted enough runs, nor has it troubled the India-A batters consistently, and has been sloppy under lights.
The top-order has gone too hard too early. A couple of batters must bat deep, with Ackerman and Jordan Hermann expected to lead a revival. Experienced pacer Lutho Sipamla and spinner Prenelan Subrayen will be key to finding breakthroughs.
After two matches on the same strip, a fresh, flatter pitch awaits; with crowds turning out and a runfest possible, the finale could be an entertaining one.