Padikkal, Kushagra set Australia ‘A’ big fourth-innings target

India ‘A’ Set Massive Target for Australia ‘A’

Venue: Puducherry – Day 3 of the unofficial Test
Result: India ‘A’ lead by 308 runs; Australia ‘A’ still 308 runs away.

First‑innings Highlights

• India ‘A’ 334

  • Devdutt Padikkal – 59
  • Kumar Kushagra – 100 (first‑innings ton)
  • Sai Sudharsan – 39 (steady opening stand)

• Australia ‘A’ 171

  • Nathan McSweeney – 23* (not out)

Second‑innings Highlights

• India ‘A’ 199 (declared)

  • Kumar Kushagra – 46* (unbeaten)
  • Padikkal – 59 (again)

• Australia ‘A’ 55/2 (23 overs, final session)

  • Tushar Deshpande – 1‑5 (bowling)
  • Nathan McSweeney – 23* (still at the crease)

Key Points

• Padikkal and Kushagra’s back‑to‑back knocks, plus Sudharsan’s 39, set a 363‑run target.
• The pitch offered uneven bounce; early wicket of Aman Mokhade (c Liam Scott) highlighted the difficulty.
• Padikkan’s aggressive back‑foot play and Sudharsan’s square‑off strokes built a 68‑run partnership.
• After lunch, India ‘A’ lost four wickets for 58 runs; Shaik Rasheed (c Tanveer Sangha) and Yash Rathod fell quickly.
• Kushagra accelerated post‑tea, hitting two sixes off Todd Murphy before the off‑spinner claimed the tail.
• Australia ‘A’ started cautiously; Anshul Kamboj struggled, while Tushar Deshpande dismissed Campbell Kellaway.
• Nathan McSweeney showed composure, remaining unbeaten as the day ended.

Brief Scorecard

• • indicates not out.

Bowling Highlight: Todd Murphy 4‑48 (Australia ‘A’).

The match continues with Australia ‘A’ needing 308 runs to win.