NEW DELHI: India A's fast bowlers put on a clinical display to seize control of the second four-day match against South Africa A in Bengaluru on Friday, despite a superb counterattacking hundred from Marques Ackerman.

Prasidh Krishna (3/35), Mohammed Siraj (2/61), and Akash Deep (2/28) exploited the lively conditions at the BCCI Centre of Excellence to perfection, sharing seven wickets as South Africa A were bundled out for 221 in their first innings.

Ackerman's brilliant 134 off 118 balls, studded with 17 fours and five sixes, was the lone standout in an otherwise fragile batting effort.

With a first-innings lead of 34, India A ended Day 2 at 78 for three, stretching their overall advantage to 112 runs. At stumps, KL Rahul was unbeaten on 26 alongside Kuldeep Yadav, who was yet to open his account.

Earlier, Abhimanyu Easwaran's lean run continued as he registered a second consecutive duck, while Sai Sudharsan's modest 23 off 38 balls summed up his underwhelming build-up to the upcoming Test series in South Africa.

Devdutt Padikkal looked solid during his stay before falling for 24 to a stunning catch at gully by Lesego Senokwane, halting what promised to be a promising innings.

India pacers excel

The total of 255 was always going to be a steep hill for SA batters to climb considering the quality in India’s bowling unit, and it panned out just like that.

In no time, the tourists were 12 for three inside the first eight overs.

Senokwane had little clue about an Akash delivery that moved a wee bit away to uproot his off-stump.

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma might be a little aggrieved after the on field umpire acceded to a down-the-leg caught behind appeal by Akash.

Siraj chipped in with the wicket of Zubayr Hamza as the Proteas were jolted early.

The breezy new ball spell of Siraj and Akash would have impressed the Indian team management to a good extent ahead of the two-match Test series against SA, as the pair purchased disconcerting bounce and carry from the track.

But Ackerman and Jordan Hermann added 64 runs for the fourth wicket to keep the hosts at bay till the stroke of lunch at 76 for three.

However, the Indian bowlers came back strongly as Prasidh Krishna, who could not get a place in the India squad for the SA Test series, dismissed both Herman and Connor Esterhuizen in the first over of the second session to reduce South Africa to 76 for five.

The situation soon read a graver 121 for seven, but Ackerman, who has batting has more grit than left-hander’s elegance, found a brave assistant in Prenelan Subrayen (20).

They added 86 runs off 66 balls for the eighth wicket as SA went past the 200-run mark. Ackerman slipped into overdrive during this alliance, and Siraj bore the brunt.

He erred in length and Ackerman biffed him for two sixes and three fours to collect 24 runs from the 37th over, and that particular over slightly blotted his otherwise fine outing.

The 29-year-old had fetched his first 50 runs off 77 balls but that assault on Siraj helped him get his next 50 in just 22 balls.

It was his 13th century in 79 first-class matches in which he has over 5000 runs at an average of over 47.

The threatening stand was snapped when Subrayen was run out after a direct hit from Siraj at short covers.

Soon, Ackerman also departed, giving a simple catch to Rishabh Pant while attempting a reverse scoop off left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey, as the tourists conceded a slender lead.

(With PTI Inputs)