Cape Town - South Africa 'A' battled on Day 1 of the second unofficial Test against India 'A' in Mysore on Tuesday.
At stumps after bad light stopped play, the hosts had posted 233/3.
Having won the toss, SA 'A' skipper Aiden Markram opted to field first and it initially looked to be the correct decision with Lungi Ngidi (1/41 in 13) and Wiaan Mulder (1/19 in 13) striking early to reduce India to 31/2.
However, a 135-run partnership between opener Shubman Gill (92) and Karun Nair (78*) soon saw the Indians take control.
It was Lutho Sipamla (1/54 in 15) who made the breakthrough when he had Gill removed.
The match also saw Vernon Philander make his return to the playing field as he looks to prove his fitness for next month's three-match Test series in India.
Proteas management would have been pleased to see the 34-year-old get through 12 economical overs unscathed as he finished the day with figures of 0/21.
India 'A' have a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Scores in brief:
India 'A' 233/3 (Gill 92, Nair 78*, Mulder 1/19, Ngidi 1/41, Sipamla 1/54)
India 'A' lead by 233 runs with 7 first-innings wickets remaining
- Compiled by Lloyd Burnard