Sai Sudharsan confirms opener role as India A set Australia A target of 363

Sudharsan's steady hand helps India A press home the advantage in Puducherry

PUDUCHERRY: Sai Sudharsan, embracing a new role at the top of the order, followed up his first-innings 57 with a brisk 39 on Thursday as India 'A' set Australia 'A' a target of 363 to win the first unofficial Test. At stumps on Day 3, the tourists were precariously placed at 55-2 on a pitch where the ball is turning and keeping low.

Sudharsan's shift up the order

The Tamil Nadu batter, returning from a right-toe stress fracture, has all but lost his India No. 3 slot to Devdutt Padikkal, who also scored 59 on Thursday. Instead, Sudharsan is being viewed as the third opener for the Indian team, and he confirmed that the selectors had already communicated their plans to him well before the series began.

“Since Day 1 here, even in Sri Lanka, I opened in the 'A' series. So, the communication with the selectors was clear that I am going to open in this series. That's about it,” Sudharsan said.

Asked whether batting at the top of the order feels different from coming in at No. 3, he was unbothered by the switch:

“It's not a very big difference for me. But I enjoy doing both. I just open a lot, so it's becoming natural for me to face the new ball. I've opened quite a lot for Tamil Nadu and even in age-group cricket. So, it's not something new.”

A pitch turning in India's favour

Sudharsan looked well set in the second innings before falling for 39 while attempting a sweep against Todd Murphy, whose four-wicket haul (4-48) proved the most damaging for the visitors. With the surface taking turn and keeping low, Australia 'A' now face a stiff chase with their top order already breached.

Brief scores: India 'A' 334 & 199 (D Padikkal 59, K Kushagra 46*, S Sudharsan 39; T Murphy 4-48); Australia 'A' 171 & 55-2.