Kushagra and Kotian steady India-A after early collapse in Puducherry
Kumar Kushagra and Tanush Kotian dug in to revive India-A’s first innings at the Siechem Cricket Stadium in Puducherry on Tuesday during the opening day of the first ‘Test’ against Australia-A. The pair rebuilt after a top-order collapse and occupied the crease as the day ended.
India-A had slumped to 97 for five before Kushagra and Kotian compiled a 138-run partnership that arrested the slide; the stand ended only when Kushagra retired hurt late in the day, with Kotian remaining at the wicket.
Kushagra received an early reprieve when a Brendan Doggett in‑seamer struck him but a DRS review showed the ball was going down leg. Kotian also escaped a chance that should have gone to the wicketkeeper or first slip off Todd Murphy.
Kushagra’s scoring came largely off over‑pitched deliveries, notably a drive off Corey Rocchiccioli (three for 72) and a flick and on‑drive off Doggett, while Kotian seized momentum by slog‑sweeping Rocchiccioli with the first ball of the third session and following with a cut through the covers.
Rocchiccioli and Murphy had earlier pinned the Indian batters around the off‑stump with flight and occasional extra bounce; Murphy induced an edge from Devdutt Padikkal that went to first slip, and Rocchiccioli’s use of a silly mid‑on yielded a return catch to dismiss Shaik Rasheed. B. Sai Sudharsan, after a 103‑ball 57, was beaten by a long hop that held up off the surface and played a leading edge to Rocchiccioli, who took good catches on both occasions but was unable to maintain the earlier pressure.
Kushagra finished on 82 retired hurt, having faced 160 balls and struck 10 fours, after receiving lengthy treatment for cramps in the 60th over and walking off in the 79th. Tanush Kotian was 68 not out off 134 balls with four fours and a six, and B. Sai Sudharsan made 57 off 103 deliveries.
India-A 257/5 in 89 overs (B. Sai Sudharsan 57, Kumar Kushagra 82 retd. hurt, Tanush Kotian 68 batting) vs. Australia-A; Toss: India-A.
