India A set Australia A 363 in Puducherry unofficial Test

India A are hosting Australia A in a four-day unofficial Test at Puducherry from September 22 to 25. The match is part of Australia A’s tour of India.

India A posted 334 in their first innings and bowled Australia A out for 171 to take a 163-run lead; in their second innings India A were dismissed for 199, setting Australia A a target of 363. Batting became tougher on Day 3 as the pitch began to produce uneven bounce, with some deliveries staying low and others rising more than expected.

Devdutt Padikkal, playing his first match as India A captain, scored 59 from 72 balls in the second innings; he was dismissed LBW by Liam Scott after sharing a 68-run stand with Sai Sudharsan, who made 39.

Kumar Kushagra scored a century in India A’s first innings and added an unbeaten 46 off 59 in the second, playing several attacking shots that helped push the lead toward 363; Sai Sudharsan had earlier made 57 in the first innings.

India A also made early inroads with the ball in Australia A’s chase: Tushar Deshpande and Tanush Kotian took one wicket each as Australia A slipped to 55 for 2; Campbell Kellaway was dismissed for a duck, Sam Konstas scored 20 and Nathan McSweeney was unbeaten on 23 at stumps.

At the close of play on Day 3 Australia A were 55/2 and required a further 308 runs to reach 363, with eight wickets remaining; India A will aim to take those eight wickets when the fourth and final day is played on September 25.