NEW DELHI: South Africa A showed resilience through a solid century stand between Jordan Hermann and Zubayr Hamza, but India A's spinners, led by Tanush Kotian, struck at regular intervals to restrict the visitors to 299 for nine on the opening day of the first four-day match in Bengaluru on Thursday.

After being asked to bat first, Hermann (71) and Hamza (66) steadied the innings with a 130-run partnership for the second wicket, keeping India A at bay for a session and a half.

However, once Hamza fell to pacer Gurnoor Brar (1/45) while attempting a ramp shot that was safely pouched by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, India A bowlers regained control of the proceedings.

Rishabh Pant’s on-field antics go viral during India A vs South Africa A Test

Hamza was visibly displeased with his dismissal, and Hermann too showed frustration after being adjudged leg-before to off-spinner Tanush Kotian (4/83), who was easily the standout performer for India A on the day.

However, the rest of South Africa A's top order had little reason to complain about their dismissals.

Opener Lesego Senokwane slashed pacer Anshul Kamboj straight to Ayush Mhatre at first slip, while Rivaldo Moonsamy edged left-arm spinner Manav Suthar (2/62) to Ayush Badoni in the cordon.

Skipper Marques Ackermann then fell to a loose flick off Kotian, picked up neatly by Suthar inside the circle, as the visitors slipped from a strong position to 197 for five, losing three wickets for just 27 runs.

However, until Hermann and Hamza were in the middle, South Africa were in cruise mode, and the three Indian pacers - Brar, Kamboj and Khaleel Ahmed - were guilty of insipid spells despite some early assistance on the pitch.

Hermann started with a flurry of fours off Ahmed before settling into Hamza’s sidekick role. The right-hander played a typically fluent innings, filled with crisp cuts and flowing drives.

A cover drive off Brar and a lofted-drive over mid-off for a six off Kotian helped him bring his fifth 50-plus score in the last eight innings off 73 balls.

Hermann was more sedate while going past the milestone in 85 balls, as a reverse sweep of Suthar was, perhaps, the most belligerent moment of his innings.

But the Indian bowlers, especially Brar, came out with a bit more fire in the belly in the middle session, and tested the SA batters with some well-directed short-pitched deliveries.

The improved effort helped the hosts’ bowlers pluck three wickets in the second session, conceding a mere 85 runs.

They seemed to have cemented the advantage with an early wicket in the final passage of the day, but the visitors found some more resistance through Rubin Hermann, elder brother of Jordan, and Tiaan Van Vuuren (42).

They added 72 runs for the sixth wicket, riding on pluck and luck before a turf-smooching delivery sneaked below Hermann’s pull to disturb his stumps, as India clawed back.

But till then, Hermann made his stay count while bringing up his fifty in 82 balls.

Pant's keeping

Pant took a bit to settle into his rhythm behind the stumps, and once he came to terms with the surface and bowlers the wicketkeeper was quite tidy.

This was Pant's first competitive outing since getting injured in the fourth Test against England in July, and he did give plenty of positive signs.

Of course, Pant was in his elements once he settled and gave some entertaining moments through stump mike.

Kishan replaces Jagadeesan

Ishan Kishan, who was not in the original squad, on Thursday replaced N Jagadeesan after the latter picked up a hand injury while training on the match eve.

(With PTI Inputs)