India Under-19 completed an easy nine-wicket win over South Africa Under-19 in the first ‘Test’ at the KCA-St. Xavier's College ground on Friday.
Makhakha bats well
South Africa, which resumed at 34 for three, folded up for 167 with only Bonga Makhakha (74) defying the Indian attack.
The spinners Manav Suthar (three for 44) and Hrithik Shokeen (three for 52) scythed through the line-up, taking six of the seven wickets on the penultimate day.
Makhakha showed the temperament and skill to survive on the pitch which offered some turn and bounce to the spinners. Most of the South African batsmen made the error of playing the Indian spinners on the backfoot, turning sitting ducks to the sharp bouncing balls.
Makhakha used his feet to smother the spin, and also swept the spinners. However, the productive sweep shot also led to his downfall as he lost his balance while trying to sweep Shokeen and Suraj Ahuja pulled off a smart stumping.
Earlier, the overnight pair of Makhakha and Andille Mogakane (30) negotiated the opening hour safely. However, the introduction of Shokeen brought instant reward as he clean bowled Mogakane with a ball that held its line. The only partnership of note was the 43-run stand for the sixth wicket between Makhakha and Luke Beaufort (11). The duo resisted the Indian spinners for more than an hour as South Africa lost only two wickets in the first session. However, Beaufort fell soon after the break, playing back to a ball from Shokeen which bounced a little more and gave Varun an easy catch at silly-point.
Marc Jansen and Achillie Cloete tried extravagant shots off left-arm spinner Manav Suthar and perished. It was all over when Lifa Ntanzi ran himself out trying to take a non-existent single.
Needing 35, India reached the target losing first innings centurion Divyaansh Saxena. He, however, walked away with the Man-of-the-Match award.
The scores: South Africa U-19 197 & 167 in 66 overs (Bonga Makhakha 74, Andille Mogakane 30, Manav Suthar three for 44, Hrithik Shokeen three for 52) lost to India U-19 330 & 37 for one in 7.5 overs.
