Australia A Set India A Daunting 365-Run Target as Todd Murphy Sinks Sai Sudharsan Again

Australia A tightened their stranglehold on the second unofficial Test against India A, setting the hosts a demanding victory target of 365 and then landing a late blow before stumps on the third day. The visitors declared their second innings at 173/4 after 49 overs, before striking with the ball in the 13 overs that remained in the evening session.

The crucial breakthrough came when Todd Murphy bowled Sai Sudharsan for 12, dismissing the India A opener in both innings of the match. Nightwatchman Tushar Deshpande then dug in, batting out 18 deliveries alongside Aayush Pandey to ensure India A reached the close without further loss.

India A Collapse After Morning Fightback

Resuming on 122/5 on the third morning, India A had briefly clawed their way back into the contest through a stubborn partnership. But the momentum swung sharply when both well-set batters, Tanush Kotian and Shaikh Rasheed, fell in successive overs, handing Australia A back the initiative.

Those two wickets proved decisive. India A lost their remaining resistance and were bundled out for just 167, surrendering a first-innings deficit of 191 after Australia A had earlier posted 358.

Openers, Sangha Keep Australia A on Top

With a sizeable lead already banked, Australia A piled on the agony in their second essay, their openers putting on more than 50 runs for the first wicket. India A did hit back with a flurry of quick wickets, including that of captain Peter Handscomb, who departed for a duck.

But Jason Sangha steadied the innings with a composed unbeaten 44, ensuring the tourists stayed firmly in command. His resistance allowed Australia A to bat 49 overs before declaring at 173/4, setting India A a target of 365.

India A's reply got off to the worst possible start when Murphy castle Sudharsan for 12 in the 13 tricky overs before the close. The hosts will now need 337 more runs on the final day with nine wickets in hand.

Series Context

Australia A's position of strength follows India A's dominant display in the opening fixture of the series. In reporting on September 25, India A were described as having crushed Australia A by 162 runs to take a 1-0 series lead, a win built on Kumar Kushagra's 113 and half-centuries from Tanush Kotian (69) and Sai Sudharsan (57) in a first-innings total of 334. Tushar Deshpande and Anshul Kamboj then wreaked havoc with the ball as the tourists were bowled out for 171, before India A set up the win with captain Devdutt Padikkal top-scoring on 59 in the second innings.

Brief scores: India A 167 & 28/1 (Todd Murphy 1-1) need another 337 runs vs Australia A 358 & 173/4d (Jason Sangha 44*, Sam Konstas 40; Tanush Kotian 2-55).