India A vs South Africa A – Unofficial ODI Match Preview (2025-11-16, 08:00 GMT)

The highly anticipated second unofficial One Day International (ODI) between India A and South Africa A is set to take place on Saturday, November 16, 2025, at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. With the opening ODI having already been won by India A, this encounter promises to be an exciting contest as both teams look to gain the upper hand in the series.

Series Context

The series began with a thrilling 4-wicket victory for India A in the first ODI on November 13, 2025. Chasing a target of 291, India A showed composure and depth in their batting line-up, with strong contributions from Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal. South Africa A, however, will be eager to bounce back following their recent 5-wicket Test win over India A and will aim to rectify their limited-overs performance.

Team Form and Squads

India A

India A has shown promise in both formats of the game during this tour. With Rishabh Pant leading the charge, the team has displayed a balanced blend of aggressive batting and disciplined bowling.

Key performers to watch out for:

• Sai Sudharsan – The vice-captain has been in sublime form with the bat and is expected to anchor the innings.
• Devdutt Padikkal – His consistency and shot selection make him a vital part of India A’s middle order.
• Mohammed Siraj – The experienced fast bowler brings control and late swing, making him a threat in the death overs.
• Abhimanyu Easwaran – His calm and calculated approach often stabilizes the innings during tricky periods.

South Africa A

South Africa A has been a strong contender in the Test series, winning the second match decisively. They will be looking to carry that momentum into the ODIs.

Key players to watch:

• Lhuandre Pretorius – The captain, who led the side in the first ODI, is a dynamic all-rounder with the ability to change the game with both bat and ball.
• Rubin Hermann – A left-handed opener with a solid technique and a flair for explosive stroke play.
• Bjorn Fortuin – Known for his aggressive batting and ability to pick up crucial wickets at the death.
• Nqaba Peter – A versatile all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball in the middle overs.

Pitch and Conditions

The Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot is known for its batting-friendly conditions, with a relatively flat pitch and good bounce. The outfield is true, which favors fast bowlers, but with the weather typically dry in late November, the ball tends to remain in hand for longer periods. Batsmen are expected to dominate, but the team winning the toss could have a significant advantage depending on the time of the game.

Key Match-ups

• Sai Sudharsan vs Lhuandre Pretorius: This is likely to be a crucial battle in the middle overs. Both players are technically sound and capable of shifting the momentum of the game.
• Mohammed Siraj vs Rubin Hermann: Siraj’s ability to extract late movement could challenge Hermann, who has shown composure in high-pressure situations.
• Devdutt Padikkal vs Nqaba Peter: A clash of two technically sound middle-order batsmen who could dictate the tempo of the innings.

Prediction

Given the form and balance of both teams, this match is expected to be a close contest. India A’s recent ODI performance and experience in tight chases could give them the edge. However, South Africa A’s aggressive approach and strong all-rounders should not be underestimated.

Prediction: India A by 6-8 runs, if they win the toss and choose to bat first. If South Africa A wins the toss and plays with the same intensity as in the second Test, they could spring a surprise.

Conclusion

The second unofficial ODI between India A and South Africa A promises to be an action-packed encounter with both teams looking to dominate the series. With a blend of emerging talent and seasoned campaigners, it's a match that cricket fans won’t want to miss.

Venue: Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot
Date: Saturday, November 16, 2025
Time: 08:00 GMT
Series: South Africa A Tour of India, 2025 – 2nd Unofficial ODI
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