Bhute and Hinge hold out to earn India-A a draw in Puducherry

Nachiket Bhute and Praful Hinge batted out the closing three overs to deny Australia-A victory and secure a draw for India-A in the second unofficial Test at the Siechem Cricket Stadium in Puducherry on Friday, October 2, 2026.

Australia-A 358 & 173/4 decl. drew with India-A 167 & 310/9 in 103 overs. Notable individual contributions included Tushar Deshpande (52), Yash Rathod (80) and Liam Scott (5/37). Sam Harper was Player of the Match and Shams Mulani was named Player-of-the-Series.

Bhute and Hinge occupied the crease through the final three overs of the mandatory last 15, facing heavy attacking fields from Australia-A, who packed 10 fielders in catching positions as they pursued the final wicket.

Yash Rathod (80 off 138 balls, eight fours) and Shams Mulani (29 off 131 balls, two fours) added 85 for the eighth wicket, a partnership that lasted 36 overs and included 16 overs against a second new ball.

Tushar Deshpande’s 52 (119 balls, four fours, one six) in the morning session, which featured two boundaries off Jhye Richardson in a 13-run over, gave India-A hope, but the side then lost five wickets in the second session.

The match featured a pivotal chance when Jason Sangha edged Corey Rocchiccioli on 23 but did not hold the catch. Liam Scott’s skiddy length bowling produced five for 37 and, with deliveries that "zipped low", exposed the tail and set up the tense finish.

By denying that last wicket, Bhute and Hinge preserved the draw and left India-A leading the series 1-0.