Cooped up in a bio-bubble while a new Covid-19 variant causes panic all across the globe, the India A cricket team will take on South Africa A in the second unofficial Test in Bloemfontein from Tuesday with some senior side aspirants hoping to make a mark.

The first four-day game ended in a draw due to inclement weather last week. The uncertain situation has led to the Netherlands abandoning their last two ODIs against South Africa which were scheduled in Johannesburg. However, India A have stayed put in Bloemfontein inside a bio-bubble. The matches are being played without spectators.

The India senior team is also due to arrive in South Africa by December 9 for a nearly seven-week tour, starting December 17.

If the situation deteriorates, it can jeopardise the tour, which involves three Tests, three ODIs and four T20Is across four venues — Johannesburg, Centurion, Paarl, and Cape Town. An India tour guarantees huge financial returns for the host cricket board and CSA is anxious for the series to happen.

India A manager Anil Patel had told The Telegraph that the team was feeling secure and there was no cause for worry.

In the first game, India A batters produced a good show with Abhimanyu Easwaran hitting a century and skipper Priyank Panchal scoring 96 to take them to 308 for 4 in response to South Africa’s 509 for 7 declared when rain washed out the final day.

Opener Prithvi Shaw also scored a fine 48 and he would look to make the most of the good batting conditions in Bloemfontein.

Hanuma Vihari, who was not picked for the two home Tests against New Zealand, could manage just 25 and would be eager to make up for it in the second game.

Ishan Kishan and Deepak Chahar have also joined the squad, and would be keen to prove themselves ahead of the seniors’ tour. The Indians’ bowling is an area of concern as it allowed the hosts to pile up a mountain of runs at Mangaung Oval in the first match.

Navdeep Saini, who has lost his place in the senior team, and his pace partner Arzan Nagwaswalla took two wickets each in the first match. Umran Malik, who was picked in the A squad after impressing with his extra pace in the IPL, also snapped one.

For the hosts, Pieter Malan (163) and Tony de Zorzi (117) impressed with centuries.