IND A vs AUS A: India A Seal Convincing Win Despite Australia A Offering Late Resistance

India A completed a convincing win over Australia A in the first unofficial Test. (PC: Screengrab/BCCI)

Delay the inevitable — that’s what Australia A did as their tailenders frustrated the India A bowlers to extend the game. But the fight didn’t last too long, as the hosts managed to wrap up the innings and win the first unofficial Test by 162 runs. Anshul Kamboj and Tushar Deshpande took four important wickets between them with the old ball in what was an impressive display of reverse-swing bowling from the pace duo on the final day.

After setting a target of 363, Australia A had already lost two wickets yesterday. On a fast-deteriorating pitch, it was only a matter of time before India A bowled the visitors out on the last day. For India A, it was about taking eight wickets, while for Australia A, the focus was on the capped duo of Nathan McSweeney and Peter Handscomb. If Australia A were to chase down the target, these two had to play a big role. McSweeney was already set, while Handscomb was looking comfortable against spin at the crease.

With spin unable to cause much damage, Devdutt Padikkal brought Kamboj into the attack, and that proved to be a decisive call. With the old ball, Kamboj found a hint of swing and, in successive overs, removed both set batters. McSweeney was undone by the variable bounce from the pitch. The ball hit the crack, took the shoulder of the bat and went straight to Aman Mokhade at slip. It was an unplayable delivery from Kamboj.

In Handscomb’s case, the ball stayed low as Kamboj found the gap between bat and pad to hit the timber. Deshpande was called from the other end and made an immediate impact by taking the wickets of Josh Philippe and Liam Scott. That was the final nail in the coffin. The four wickets that fell within 30 minutes effectively ended Australia A’s chances of winning the game.

It was a day when whatever changes Padikkal made to the bowling brought him instant results. Kamboj was rested and Tanush Kotian was brought into the attack, and he castled Jason Sangha, the last recognised batter of Australia A.

Then came the partnership that frustrated the India A bowlers. As has been the case with the senior team, the India A bowlers also struggled to break the partnership.

Fergus O’Neill came out all guns blazing and added 67 runs with Todd Murphy. This eighth-wicket partnership was Australia A’s biggest in the match.

Shams Mulani, who bowled the most overs without taking a wicket, ran through the tail to take all three remaining wickets and finish with a seven-wicket haul in the match.

Deshpande was the most impressive pacer, with three wickets to his name — one with the new ball and two with the old ball. The Mumbai seamer gave a good account of himself in the game, returning as the best pacer with five wickets in the match.

To sum up the match in a nutshell, Sai Sudharsan made an impressive return to competitive cricket with the bat. Kumar Kushagra and Mulani continued to push their cases, emerging as the standout batter and bowler in the game, while Padikkal showed that he has the tactical acumen to be a future leader.

The second unofficial Test will be played at the same venue in Puducherry from September 29.

Brief Scores: India A 334/10 (Kumar Kushagra 113, Tanus Kotian 69, Corey Rocchiccioli 4-95, Todd Murphy 3-77) and 199/10 (Devdutt Padikkal 59, Kumar Kushagra 46*, Todd Murphy 4-48, Brendan Doggett 2-21) beat Australia A 171/10 (Jason Sangha 46, Shams Mulani 4-67, Tanush Kotian 2-31,) and 200/10 (Fergus O’Neill 47, Tushar Deshpande 3-14, Shams Mulani 3-57) by 162 runs

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