A class stuff from Indians

And Kaif admitted later, it was a gamble and he won it. “It was a good victory. I just took the chance,” Kaif said about the run out.

In the end, it was a well-deserved win as Kaif and S Badrinath helped India reach a mammoth 290. The touring side came very close and could have won but for Suresh Raina running Albie Morkel out for 61at a crucial juncture.

Morkel had nearly snatched the match from India’s grip as he hit three huge sixes — two off Pragyan Ojha and one off Amit Mishra and six fours. But after his departure the Indians could heave a sigh of relief until the last-ball run out by Kaif with visitors on 289.

The day belonged to Kaif. He won the toss and chose to bat on a placid pitch. Kaif, who is working hard to get back into Team India, hit form when it mattered the most — he scored 98 off 123 balls.

And with Badrinath, who is waiting to get a national call, scored a quick fire 88 off 89 balls with two huge sixes and six boundaries.

Kaif played shots to parts of the ground and picked Johan Botha for special treatment. His graph said it all as he scored 30 of his 98 from the mid-wicket and square leg regions.

He paced his innings perfectly and combined well with Badr to share a partnership of 144 runs for the sixth wicket. Badrinath played his natural game and reached his half century off 73 balls before exploding. His next 38 runs came from mere 13 balls.

Brief scores:

India A: 290/6 (Mohd Kaif 98, S Raina 45, S Badrinath not out 88, A Mishra not out 22; R. Kleinveldt 2/34, A Morkel 2/64) beat South Africa A: 289 all out (A Petersen 56, G Bodi 54, A Morkel 61, J Botha 32; Badrinath 4/43, Praveen Kumar 2/51).