South Africa sealed the T20I series against New Zealand with a convincing 33-run victory in the fifth and final game at Hagley Oval on Wednesday.
South Africa defeated New Zealand by 19 runs in the fourth T20I to level the five-match series 2-2. Connor Esterhuizen's half-century earned him Player of the Match.
Responding to India A's first innings total of 216, New Zealand A declared their first innings on 562 shortly after losing their seventh wicket on the third and penultimate day at the Hagley Oval.
The young all-rounder picked up three of the last four NZ 'A' wickets to fall for fine figures of 4 for 11 to finish as the best Indian bowler.
Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson will take over the captain's role for the first time in his career as regular skipper Kane Williamson continues to recover from a knee injury, and his deputy Tom Latham has been rested for the series.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, who scored a century in the first innings was batting on 18 in the company of skipper Priyank Panchal (17).
a red-ball warm-up game will be the most welcome distraction for Virat Kohli and his men as a precursor to the two-match Test series starting next week.
Veteran all-rounder Mitchell Santner will captain the New Zealand side for the three-match T20I series against India.
With the series on the line, captain Hardik Pandya is unlikely to make changes despite clamour for inclusion of Prithvi Shaw.
Shubman Gill's run-a-ball 83 was the only high point for India 'A' as New Zealand 'A' grabbed the opening day honours in their first unofficial Test, in Christchurch, on Thursday. The Indians were all out for 216 in their first innings before the hosts responded strongly as they reached 105 for two at the close of play.
India were caught in a spin web on the Ranchi pitch as they lost the series opener by 21 runs on Friday.
India are set for a T20 appetizer ahead of their marquee Test series against Australia when they face the touring New Zealand in a three-match series, beginning in Ranchi, on Friday.
Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav's sensational hat-trick and Prithvi Shaw's quick-fire half century (77) set up a four-wicket win for India 'A' against New Zealand 'A' in the second unofficial ODI.
Earlier, on a pitch offering pace and bounce for the bowlers, Thakur struck the first blow by castling Chad Bowes (10) with NZ 'A' at 14 in the third over. In his next over, he had Dane Cleaver (4) caught by Sen.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami gave an exhibition of high-quality fast bowling on Saturday, on Day 2 of India's warm-up match against New Zealand XI, sending a warning signal for the home team ahead of first Test in Wellington.
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