Pacers Shami, Pandey bowl India A to innings win

MUMBAI: The India A team's tour of South Africa continues to be a revelation of sorts. After clinching the hard-fought tri-series that had a strong Australian A side as the third team, the Cheteshwar Pujara-led side crushed the hosts by an innings and 13 runs on the fourth and final day of the first unofficial Test at Rustenburg on Tuesday.

Lalchand Rajput, who keeps making an impact as a coach, credited pacers Mohammed Shami and Ishwar Pandey for the win that has given India A a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Shami (3-29) and Ishwar Pandey (3-25) shared six wickets amongst them while part-time spinner Rohit Sharma scalped two wickets to dismiss the hosts for 212 in their second innings after making them follow on.

"They really bowled their hearts out on a fourth-day pitch and that has only given the team more confidence of winning the next Test as well," an overjoyed Rajput told TOI from Rustenburg.

The lanky Pandey who plays for Madhya Pradesh in Ranji Trophy had match figures of 7-71. His effort earned him special praise from the coach.

"It is still early days for Ishwar, but I think he has the potential to make it big. He has a big heart and doesn't shy away from hard-work," said Rajput.

Resuming at 312 for nine, South Africa were dismissed for 357 in the first innings after Kyle Abbott (33 not out) and Andrew Birch (18) provided late resistance.

Pujara enforced the follow on and Pandey dismissed Reeza Hendricks off the third ball of his first over. Shami then struck twice in the sixth over, removing Dean Elgar (3) and J P Duminy (0) in the space of four balls.

Pandey took his second wicket in the form of Thami Tsolekile in the 35th over before Shahbaz Nadeem sent back Wayne Parnell (10) as South Africa further slumped to 140 for 7 in 41.4 overs