Top performers from India A’s unofficial Test series against Australia A highlight KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan’s batting dominance.
India A won the second unofficial Test against Australia A to bag the two-match series 1-0. India A were actually playing catch-up after being bowled out for 194 in reply to Australia A’s 420, conceding a 226-run lead. However, the India A bowlers brought the team back into the game when they dismissed the Aussies for 185 in the second innings, setting themselves a target of 413. India batters then chased down the target with ease to romp home by 5 wickets. There were a few notable performers in this two-match series. Let’s have a look.
KL Rahul’s 176 not out
If it had not been the experience of KL Rahul holding fort at one end, the target of 413 would have been an improbable chase. The best part about Rahul’s knock was that he played with intent, looking to score runs every ball to help his team inch closer towards the target. He played at a strike rate of 83.80 and remained unbeaten to take India across the finish line. He cracked 16 fours and 4 sixes during the knock.
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Sai Sudharsan’s consistency
The series was important for Sai Sudharsan as runs under his belt would give him a lot of confidence ahead of the Test series against the West Indies. Also, he can duly claim the No. 3 spot in India’s Test XI if he has the performance to back it up. Sudharsan didn’t disappoint in the unofficial Tests, hitting two fifties and one ton in the three innings while batting at No. 3. He scored 248 runs at 82.67, emerging as the highest run-getter in the series.
Dhruv Jurel leading from the front
The keeper-batter led India from the front in the second unofficial Test, hitting a valuable 66-ball 56 during the successful run-chase of 413. Earlier, in the first Test, he had played a compact innings of 140 to help India draw the Test. His knock of 140 runs came off 197 balls with 13 fours and 5 sixes. This performance would give Dhruv Jurel a lot of confidence ahead of the Test series against the West Indies at home.
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Manav Suthar’s 8 for 157 in the second Test
The all-rounder played a crucial role in the second Test as he took a fiver in the first innings, followed by a crucial 3 for 50 in the second innings. His prize wicket of Josh Philippe broke a threatening stand of 90 runs for the fifth wicket for Australia in the second innings. This wicket turned the momentum towards India as they bowled out Australia cheaply for 185 to set up a successful chase of 413. Earlier, in the first innings, his five-wicket haul helped India peg back Australia time and again. Manav Suthar could not do much with the bat. He could be a potential replacement for Ravindra Jadeja or Axar Patel in the five-day format.
Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal’s performances
Devdutt Padikkal played a good hand in the first unofficial Test when he made a compact 150 to help India pile up 531/7 declared against Australia’s massive total of 532/6 declared. The knock held India’s innings together and assured India of a draw.
Gurnoor Brar also had a good series as he took 8 wickets in the two matches. The Punjab pacer showed good skills with the ball, as he took wickets with both new and old balls. In the second unofficial Test, he opened the floodgates with the wicket of Aussie opener Sam Konstas with the first ball he bowled in Australia’s second innings. Later, he came back with the old ball to take two wickets in two balls to hasten Australia’s collapse. Overall, Brar stood tall as he bowled with some experienced pacers in Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. The performance from Brar would keep him in reckoning for a Test call-up.
Overall, India A’s victory over Australia A not only highlighted depth in batting and bowling but also offered a glimpse of players ready to step up at the highest level.
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