India-A 122 for 5, 236 behind Australia-A at stumps in Puducherry Test
India-A were 122 for five at stumps, 236 runs behind Australia-A after the second day of the second 'Test' at the Siechem Cricket Stadium in Puducherry on Wednesday, with Todd Murphy’s double strike leaving the hosts under pressure.
India’s top order failed to build momentum as Devdutt Padikkal (31, 46b, 4x4) and B. Sai Sudharsan were unable to steady the innings, despite several players having contributed runs in the first game of the series. Australia-A earlier posted 358 in 116.3 overs, led by Sam Harper’s century and Jason Sangha’s 46. The match resumed with Harper on 101 overnight; he finished with 128 (223b, 7x4, 3x6).
Padikkal began positively against Liam Hatcher, scoring more than a run a ball and striking a late cut off Corey Rocchiccioli, but the momentum did not last. Rocchiccioli’s tall release and flight produced extra bounce that unsettled the batsmen, and Murphy then struck with a full delivery that turned low and hit the off-stump. Padikkal fell for 31, having been unable to counter that turning ball.
Shaik Rasheed elected to defend and survive until stumps, ending the day on 36 (140b, 2x4). Meanwhile Yash Rathod and Kumar Kushagra did not convert starts, each losing their wicket after making initial contributions.
Australia-A’s innings had been anchored by Sam Harper, who added only 20 runs from 60 balls after resuming on 101, allowing Aaron Richardson to take the initiative; Richardson made 31 (67b, 6x4). The eighth-wicket stand reached 57 before Kotian extracted sharp turn and castled Richardson to break the partnership.
Kamboj removed Harper and Liam Hatcher with successive deliveries — caught behind and leg-before respectively — to wrap up Australia-A on 358. Todd Murphy finished with two wickets for 26, while Rocchiccioli also troubled the Indian top order during the day.
At stumps, India-A trailed Australia-A by 236 runs with five wickets down, the match poised in favour of the visitors as play moves into the next day.
