Thiruvananthapuram: Mumbai all-rounder Shivam Dube's big-hitting prowess was well complemented by senior international Yuzvendra Chahal's five-wicket haul as India 'A' comfortably beat South Africa 'A' by 69 runs in the first unofficial One-Day International of the five-match series here on Thursday.
The muscular Dube smashed an unbeaten 79 off 60 balls that included half a dozen of sixes and three boundaries which took India's score to 327/6 in 47 overs. His whirlwind seventh partnership of 121 off 71 balls with Axar Patel (60 not out off 36 balls) gave the Indian total an imposing look.
In reply, Chahal warmed up nicely for the upcoming international assignments with figures of 5/47 as South Africa were all out for 258 in 45 overs despite Reeza Hendricks' century.
Hendricks's 110 off 108 balls went in vain as the Proteas weren't exactly comfortable with the slow nature of the tracks.
Heinrich Klaasen (58, 43b, 4x4, 3x6) and Khaya Zondo (30) were the only other batsmen to make notable contributions as Chahal kept the the visitors in check.
Earlier in the day, most of the Indian batsmen got starts but couldn't convert into big scores.
The highly-rated Shubman Gill (46, 47b, 7x4) and captain Manish Pandey (39, 41b, 4x4) were set but failed to score big.
The home team appeared to be heading for a below-par score when Krunal Pandya (14) fell to Anrich Nortje, with the score at 206/6.
However, Dube and Patel had different ideas. The two southpaws blasted the rival bowlers almost at will.
Dube reached 50 off 46 deliveries, his first in List-A career, blasting some big sixers.
After a quiet start, all-rounder Patel raced to his 50 in just 34 balls as he effortlessly smote a few sixes.
The South Africans didn't get off to a great start, losing opener Janneman Malan (18), who survived after being caught off Deepak Chahar's but it was adjudged no-ball.
Hendricks played positively and was on the lookout for runs. He kept find the boundary but the middle-order failed to offer him support.
Patel was declared man of the match.
Brief scores: India 'A' 327/6 in 47 overs (Shivam Dube 79, Axar Patel 60, Shubman Gill 46; Bjorn Fortuin 2/40, Beuran Hendricks 2/89) bt South Africa 'A' 258 in 45 overs (Reeza Hendricks 110, H Klaasen 58; Yuzvendra Chahal 5/47, Axar Patel 2/39).
