Notwithstanding the collective collapse in the second unofficial Test, the India A team’s tour of South Africa was satisfactory, says a report in The New Indian Express, adding that importantly, it served the bigger purpose of key players in the national side getting accustomed to the conditions in South Africa ahead of the full-fledged tour later this year.
Apart from Test opener Murali Vijay, most other batsmen were amongst runs. Fellow opener Shikhar Dhawan ratcheted a mind-boggling 248 in a limited-over match and tallied 410 runs in the tri-series that also included Australia A. Rohit Sharma and skipper Cheteshwar Pujara were consistent in both formats.
“Though the conditions would be different in December, the players utilised this opportunity. Pujara showed he is a responsible captain and batted extremely well. Rohit’s consistency is a big plus for Indian cricket, for we all know how capable he is in all formats,” reckoned coach Lalchand Rajput, adding, “Raina’s hundred was a brilliant effort and Rayudu showed his temperament. (Ajinkya) Rahane, too, played brilliantly in the second Test. Wickets were falling and they were bowling so well, but he batted with composure,” pointed out Rajput.
Meanwhile according to a report in The Hindu, Rajput said paceman Ishwar Pandey was find of the South Africa tour and many a young players stand a good chance to be selected when the national team would travel there later in the year.
Pandey took seven wickets in the first Test and four in the second Test. In the preceding tri-series, he took five wickets in two matches. "In bowling department, the find was Ishwar Pandey, who did well in one-dayers and 'Tests'. Jaydev Unadkat and Mohamad Shami also bowled well," he said. "Most of the players have been impressive like Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Suresh Raina, and as a wicketkeeper, definitely Wriddhiman Saha."
According to a report in Deccan Chronicle, Rajput had special words of praise for opener Dhawan's performance and said the left-handed batsman simply tore apart the opposition attack during his whirlwind knock of 248, the second highest score in limited overs games, against South Africa in the round robin stage. "The way he was batting, it was like he was butchering the bowlers. He is in tremendous form and is a man with a lot of confidence. He is growing from strength to strength. The way he played in one-dayers, it was heartening. In one-day cricket, he would have got almost 300 runs, the way he was batting. The main thing is that he is playing proper cricketing shots," Rajput said.