Abhinav Mukund and skipper Ambati Rayudu struck half-centuries as India 'A' gained a slight edge, reaching 342 for six against South Africa A, a lead of 82 runs at stumps on the second day of the second and final unofficial 'Test' in Wayanad, Kerala.
While Tamil Nadu left-hander Mukund contributed 72 runs, the top score so far, skipper Rayudu played an enterprising innings, his 71 coming off 81 deliveries, including eight fours and three sixes.
Mukund's fellow-opener Jiwanjot Singh also chipped in with a handy 52 at the start of the innings.
Young wicketkeeper-batsman Ankush Bains partially made amends for conceding 24 byes in the South African innings, scoring an unbeaten 34 at the end of the day's play.
Giving him company at the other end was Axar Patel, on 16.
For South Africa, off-spinner Dane Piedt picked up four wickets but was hammered for 154 runs in 34 overs, with Rayudu picking him out for special treatment.
India began their innings on a cautious note, but Mukund and Jiwanjot added 96 runs for the first wicket in 28 overs. Left-arm seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe struck the first blow. He angled one across to Jiwanjot, who nicked it to Dane Vilas behind the stumps.
Mukund, who again showed a lot of patience during his 136-ball knock, studded with 13 fours, was joined by Baba Aparajith (34) and the duo added 72 for the second wicket.
Mukund should have got his century but a straighter one from Piedt caught the left-hander plumb in-front.
In his next over, Piedt also got rid of Aparajith, who provided a catch for Omphile Ramela.
At 169 for three, it was Rayudu and Sheldon Jackson (25) at the crease. The duo added 55 runs for the fourth wicket before Piedt got his third victim, cleaning up Jackson.
However, Rayudu started taking on Piedt at the other end with Vijay Shankar (21) for company. Tsotsobe got his second wicket as Shankar edged one to Vilas.
Rayudu along with Bains added 56 runs in 14.3 overs before Piedt finally got reward for flighting his deliveries, Temba Bavuma holding onto Rayudu's catch.
Scorecard:
South Africa 'A' (1st innings): 260
India 'A' (1st innings):
Jiwanjot Singh c Vilas b Tsotsobe 52
A Mukund lbw b Piedt 72
B Aparajith c Ramela b Piedt 34
S Jackson b Piedt 25
A Rayudu c Bavuma b Piedt 71
V Shankar c Vilas b Tsotsobe 21
A Bains not out 34
A Patel not out 16
Extras: (B-14, LB-1, NB-2) 17
Total: (for 6 wkts; 88 overs) 342
Fall of wkts: 1-96, 2-168, 3-169, 4-224, 5-253, 6-309.
Bowling: L Tsotsobe 18-5-38-2, GC Viljoen 20-5-67-0, B Hendricks 3-0-11-0, D Piedt 34-2-154-4, S van Zyl 11-2-33-0, O Ramela 1-0-15-0, Q de Kock 1-0-9-0.
