Luan Dripitorius scored a explosive centuryImage Credit source: PTI

South Africa A defeated India A by 73 runs in the last match of the ODI series. The South African team, which had lost the first two matches of this ongoing ODI series in Rajkot, finally got a victory. South Africa A had scored 325 runs on the basis of tremendous centuries by only 19-year-old openers Luan Dripitorius and Rivaldo Moonsamy. But India A batsmen could not show their strength this time and the entire team collapsed for just 252 runs. In this way South Africa saved itself from a clean sweep in the series.

Tremendous centuries from South African openers

The last match of the ODI series was played in Rajkot on Wednesday 19 November, in which South Africa A had the challenge of saving themselves from a clean-sweep. In the last two matches, South African batting had lacked strength, but this time its openers made up for the shortcomings of the previous matches. Luan Dripitorius and Rivaldo attacked the Indian bowlers as soon as they arrived. In particular, left-arm pacer Khalil Ahmed was badly beaten.

Together they made an explosive partnership of 241 runs in 37.1 overs. During this, first Dripitorius (123) and then Rivaldo (107) completed their respective centuries. Prasidh Krishna gave a big relief to India A by dismissing both these batsmen in the same over. After this Harshit Rana also took 2 wickets. But in the last overs, Delano Potgieter scored 30 runs in just 15 balls and took South Africa to 325 runs at the loss of 6 wickets.

Abhishek-Tilak failed, Ishaan-Badoni showed their strength

Star opener Abhishek Sharma (11), who gave a fast start to Team India in this entire series, was once again seen doing so but like the previous two matches, he failed to play a big innings in the third match as well. He could score only 74 runs in 3 matches of this series. Captain Tilak Verma (11) also left early. But Team India got a big shock when Ruturaj Gaikwad was out cheaply. Gaikwad, who was chosen Player of the Match after winning both the last matches, was out this time after scoring 25 runs. India A had lost 4 wickets for only 82 runs.

From here a partnership was established between Ishan Kishan and Ayush Badoni, which raised hopes of a comeback for Team India. Ishaan (53) scored a half-century during this period but he was also out on the score of 170. Shortly after this, Badoni (66), who scored a half-century, also departed and India A's defeat was certain. Manav Suthar and Prasidh Krishna together reduced the margin of defeat by making a partnership of 39 runs and finally in the 50th over the entire team collapsed for 252 runs. However, India-A won the series 2-1.