The India A bowlers had a tough time on the field as Pieter Malan and Tony de Zorzi scored centuries to take South Africa A to 343 for three at stumps on day one of the opening unofficial Test here on Tuesday.
After opting to bowl, the Priyank Panchal-led side got two early wickets before Malan (157 batting off 258 balls) and Zorzi (117 off 186) shared a 217-run stand for the third wicket to put South Africa A in a strong position in the four-day game.
Pacer Navdeep Saini, who has lost his place in the Indian team, took a wicket and so did left-arm speedster Arzan Nagwaswalla and Umran Malik, who was picked in the A squad after impressing with his extra pace in the IPL.
All the three spinners -- Rahul Chahar, K Gowtham and Baba Aparajith -- failed to pick up a wicket.
Chahar, who was part of the recent home T20 series against New Zealand, conceded 75 runs in 19 overs.
The three-match series is being scheduled ahead of the senior team's tour of South Africa beginning next month.
{{/usCountry}}The three-match series is being scheduled ahead of the senior team's tour of South Africa beginning next month.
{{/usCountry}}Opener Prithvi Shaw and Hanuma Vihari, who was controversially not picked for the two home Tests against New Zealand, are also part of the squad.
Brief Scores: South Africa A: 343 for 3 in 90 overs (Pieter Malan 157 batting, Tony de Zorzi 117; Arzan Nagwaswalla 1/58).
This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.