India A Nearly Matches Australia A in Rain-Hit Unofficial Test Draw
In a thrilling but weather-disrupted clash, Devdutt Padikkal smashed a brilliant 150 to guide India A close to Australia A’s first-innings score of 532. However, relentless rain on the final day forced the first unofficial Test to end in a draw at the BRSABV ground in Lucknow on Friday.
This match turned into a batsman’s paradise, with four centuries lighting up the flat pitch and leaving bowlers struggling. Australia A set the tone in their first innings, declaring at 532 for 6 thanks to standout knocks from Josh Philippe (123) and Sam Konstas (109). They built a solid foundation, putting pressure on India A right from the start.
India A responded with grit. Their top order laid a strong base, featuring half-centuries from Abhimanyu Easwaran, N. Jagadeesan, and Sai Sudharsan. Things looked shaky at 222 for 4, but Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel turned the game around with a massive 228-run partnership. Jurel fired on all cylinders, racing to 140 off 197 balls, while Padikkal played the perfect anchor role. Even after Jurel’s dismissal on the last day, Padikkal kept going, reaching his 150 before the rains arrived. India A declared at 531 for 7, falling just one run short.
Australia A’s openers didn’t waste time in their second innings. Sam Konstas and Campbell Kellaway put on an unbroken 56-run stand in 16 overs—adding to their earlier 198-run partnership—before umpires called off the match due to rain.
For the visitors, off-spinners Corey Rocchiccioli and Todd Murphy shouldered most of the bowling duties. Rocchiccioli shone brightest, claiming 3 wickets for 159 runs in 36.1 overs, including key scalps of Padikkal, Shreyas Iyer, and Karthik Kotian.
Reflecting on the rain’s impact, Rocchiccioli said, "Unfortunately, the rain probably didn’t help us over the four days. I think if there were no rain, it probably would have allowed for a result somewhere along the line. But it was an invaluable experience with the group that we have picked. The players who have played here… first hit out for some of them in a while. So to be able to play in some foreign conditions, learn your game a little bit better, have some really good conversations in the change rooms, I think has helped everyone be better for these conditions and move forward to the next game."
On getting Iyer out, he added, "Look, there’s actually probably no direct plan. I was just hoping to land the ball on the stumps. I probably didn’t bowl my best leading into that moment. Luckily enough, one sort of spun and took his pad. He is obviously a really big player that we looked at a lot during the pre-game, but there was nothing there that I thought was a weakness or anything. I just knew that I had to bowl good balls and ask good questions, and I was lucky enough to have the wicket at that moment."
The two teams will face off again in the second unofficial Test, also in Lucknow, starting September 23. Cricket fans can’t wait to see if they can force a decisive result next time.
Brief scores:
Australia ‘A’ 532/6 decl & 56/0 in 16 overs (Sam Konstas 27, Campbell Kellaway 24) drew with India ‘A’ 531/7 decl in 98 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 150, Dhruv Jurel 140; Corey Rocchiccioli 3-159, Liam Scott 1-31)
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