Watch: Prasidh Krishna claimed five wickets in nine balls, including an all-bowled hat-trick, as India A surged into a strong position on the third day of the first unofficial Test against South Africa.
With the first day entirely washed out by rain, the Proteas’ second-string side had put up a decent effort on the second, reaching 298-5 at stumps, with 25-year-old right-hander Jean du Plessis making a century from No.4.
Krishna, uncapped at Test level but in India’s squad for the two-Test series v South Africa, turned things around in dramatic fashion on the next morning. His first victim was Du Plessis, who edged a lifter to gully. Next ball, Eathan Bosch was pinned lbw by a sharp yorker. The No.8 suggested that he felt the ball was going down the leg-side, but he had to depart.
Krishna started the next over on a hat-trick, but had to wait four balls for his next scalp. Next to go was Kurtlyn Mannikam, who chopped on, and Krishna followed that with the best ball of the lot, castling Siya Plaatje with a sizzling in-swinger.
Again he was on a hat-trick, and again he had to wait, as Shardul Thakur bowled a wicketless maiden. Krishna completed three in three this time, with Odirile Modimokoane also clean bowled.
India rattled along in reply. Pradosh Ranjan Paul was the star, notching 163, while Sarfaraz Khan and Shardul Thakur each contributed half-centuries.
India’s Test series against South Africa starts at Centurion on December 26.
