Despite an impressive 96 by opening batsman Stiaan van Zyl, South Africa A were bundled out for 260 in their first innings thanks to India A left-arm spinner Axar Patel's outstanding five-wicket haul on Day One of the second and final four-day match at the Krishnagiri Stadium here on Tuesday.
Spinners did the job for the hosts as Axar returned with figures of 5/92 alongside Jayant Yadav's 3/53 and Karn Sharma's 2/36 to help them finish the day on a high after van Zyl briefly gave the visitors an upper hand during the morning session.
Opting to bat, the visitors got off to a slow start. Openers Reeza Hendricks (22) and van Zyl took time to get used to the conditions.
With the visitors scoring at below three runs per over in the first 20, India A took best advantage of their cautious approach to claim the first wicket in the 22nd over with Patel giving the hosts the breakthrough.
Incoming batsman Gihahn Cloete (26), partnering van Zyl, ensured that the visitors crossed the 100-run mark. But the 49-run partnership came to an end when Yadav got the better of Cloete with South Africa score on 107.
Centurion in the first match, Omphile Ramela (30) looked set for another big score but got himself out to put the visitors at 185/3 in the 59th over.
But the fall of wickets at the other end did not bother as van Zyl who scored freely to inch closer to an impressive ton. But to his surprise, Jadav got him clean bowled just four runs short of a century. Van Zyl struck 13 fours and one six in his innings.
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Jadav gave the hosts more to celebrate about as the 25-year-old, in his next over, got the crucial wicket of in-form batsman Quinton de Kock (0).
Temba Bavuma (17), Dane Vilas (24), Dane Piedt (12), Hardus Viljoen (0), Lonwabo Tsotsobe (0) all fell quickly to end their first innings at 260 in 89.5 overs.
Brief scores: South Africa A 260 (Stiaan van Zyl 96; Axar Patel 5/92, Jayant Yadav 3/53, Karn Sharma 2/36) vs India A