Rising Indian stars B. Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal showcased their exceptional batting prowess on day two of the first ‘Unofficial Test’ against Australia-A, guiding India-A to a commanding position with a 120-run lead.
Mukesh Kumar, the Bengal seamer, had earlier stolen the show with a remarkable six-wicket haul, restricting Australia-A to 195 in their first innings. Despite his heroics, the hosts managed to secure a crucial 88-run lead.
India-A’s second innings began with a shaky start, losing skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhimanyu Easwaran cheaply. However, Sudharsan and Padikkal steadied the ship with a resolute 178-run stand for the third wicket.
Sudharsan, known for his aggressive strokeplay, struck nine boundaries in his 185-ball 96, while Padikkal played a patient yet composed knock, scoring an unbeaten 80 from 167 balls. Their partnership allowed India-A to seize control of the match.
Sudharsan’s innings was characterized by his ability to dispatch anything short, cutting and pulling with precision. Padikkal, on the other hand, worked the ball around for quick singles and capitalized on loose deliveries to reach his half-century.
With two more days remaining in the four-day fixture, India-A now hold a significant advantage. The scores stand at: India-A 107 and 208/2 in 64 overs (Sai Sudharsan 96 batting, Devdutt Padikkal 80 batting) vs Australia-A 195 in 62.4 overs (Nathan McSweeney 39; Mukesh Kumar 6/46, Prasidh Krishna 3/59).
