(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
India A’s cricket team is chasing a tough 412 runs against Australia A in their second unofficial four-day Test in Lucknow, and they’re off to a solid start on day three. KL Rahul smashed a steady half-century before retiring hurt, while Sai Sudharsan remains unbeaten on 44, helping India A reach 169 for 2. They still need 243 more runs to pull off the win.
The action kicked off with Australia A resuming at 16 for 3 overnight. In their first innings, they built a strong total of 420, thanks to Nathan McSweeney’s gritty 74 off 162 balls—with 10 fours—and Jack Edwards’ explosive 88 off 78 balls, including 11 fours and a six. India A’s Manav Suthar shone with the ball, taking 5 wickets for 107 runs.
India A struggled in reply, scoring just 194 in their first innings, 226 runs behind. Sai Sudharsan top-scored with 75, but Australia A’s Henry Thornton wrecked havoc, claiming 4 for 36.
In Australia A’s second innings, things got tense early as they tumbled to 16 for 3. India’s pace ace Mohammed Siraj struck twice for 20 runs, dismissing Cooper Connolly for 1 and leaving the visitors at 17 for 4. McSweeney fought back with a vital 90-run partnership alongside Josh Philippe, who made a quick 50 off 48 balls with eight fours. But India A’s spinners took control—Gurnoor Brar grabbed 3 for 42, and Suthar added 3 for 50. Australia A were all out for 185, with McSweeney unbeaten on 85 off 149 balls, featuring 10 fours and a six. That set India A a target of 412 to win the unofficial Test.
During the run chase, India A opened strongly with an 85-run stand between Narayan Jagadeesan, who scored 36 off 55 balls with five fours, and KL Rahul. Rahul kept the momentum going, adding crucial runs with Sudharsan to cross the 100-mark at a healthy rate. He reached 74 off 92 balls with nine fours before retiring hurt. Devdutt Padikkal fell cheaply for 5, but Sudharsan and Manav Suthar (1 not out) steadied the ship to end the day unbeaten.
Brief scores: Australia A 420 and 185 (McSweeney 85, Philippe 50; Brar 3/42, Suthar 3/50). India A 194 (Sudharsan 75; Thornton 4/36) and 169/2 (Rahul 74, Sudharsan 44; Todd Murphy 2/49) chasing 412.
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