India A’s batsmen put up a strong fight on day three of their unofficial Test against Australia A in Lucknow, chasing a tough target of 412 runs. KL Rahul led the way with a smooth 74, helping the hosts reach 169 for 2 by stumps. They still need 243 more runs with eight wickets left, thanks to an unbeaten 44 from Sai Sudharsan and steady support from nightwatchman Manav Suthar.
Rahul opened confidently and built an 85-run partnership with N. Jagadeesan, who scored 36. Todd Murphy broke through by dismissing Jagadeesan, and later got Devdutt Padikkal for 5 after Rahul retired hurt late in the day. Sudharsan stayed solid at the crease, eyeing his second fifty of the match in this India A vs Australia A clash.
Earlier, Australia A started their second innings at 16 for 3 but quickly slumped to 17 for 4. Captain Nathan McSweeney and Josh Philippe turned things around with a 90-run stand. Philippe attacked the spinners aggressively, smashing a quick 50 off 48 balls. He explained his strategy: “I like having that approach against spin, especially with the rough and the left-arm spinner coming around the wicket. Hard sweeping—both reverse and normal—are shots I’m good at, so I stuck to my strengths.”
Manav Suthar struck back, taking Philippe’s wicket and later dismissing Murphy for 12. His figures: 3 for 50 in the innings and 8 for 157 overall, making him India A’s top bowler in this Lucknow cricket match. He had already grabbed Oliver Peake on day two. Gurnoor Brar claimed 3 for 42, including Jack Edwards (10) and Will Sutherland (0). Mohammed Siraj and concussion sub Yash Thakur each took two wickets as Australia A crumbled to 185 all out.
McSweeney top-scored again with 85, his second solid knock after 74 in the first innings, giving his team a healthy 243-run lead in the Test cricket showdown.
As day four approaches, Philippe knows the challenge for Australia A: “We need that one breakthrough early tomorrow, and hopefully get on a roll to take three or four wickets.”
Brief scores: Australia A 420 & 185 all out in 46.5 overs (Nathan McSweeney 85, Josh Philippe 50; Gurnoor Brar 3-42, Manav Suthar 3-50) lead India A 194 & 169/2 in 41 overs (Sai Sudharsan 44*, KL Rahul 74; Todd Murphy 2-49) by 243 runs.
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