Skipper Devdutt Padikkal struck a fifty and first-innings centurion Kumar Kushagra remained unbeaten on 46 as India A set Australia A an improbable target of 363 on day three of their opening four-day game on Thursday. India A were all out 199 in their second innings despite being 93 for one at one stage. Off-spinner Todd Murphy was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors taking four wickets including Sai Sudharsan’s. The left-hander is eyeing a reserve opener’s slot in the Indian team after being overtaken by Devdutt Padikkal for the number three spot.
Skipper Devdutt Padikkal struck a fifty and first-innings centurion Kumar Kushagra remained unbeaten on 46 as India A set Australia A an improbable target of 363 on day three of their opening four-day game on Thursday.
Australia A were 55/2 at the close, needing 308 to win, and requiring to bat out an entire day to save the game. Opener Sudharsan (39, 85b, 3×4), who scored a fifty in the first innings, and fellow-southpaw Padikkal (59, 88b, 7×4) put on 68 for the second wicket as India A built on a solid first-innings lead of 163. In-form Padikkal, who recorded his fourth 50-plus score in as many first-class matches, reached his fifty with successive fours off pacer Liam Scott.
