The first unofficial Test between India A and Australia A is set for a thrilling finish as Australia A close in on their target of 225 having already lost three wickets.
India started day three at 208-2, looking to build on their lead with Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal at the crease. Sudharsan soon reached his hundred, but fell immediately after as he was cleaned up by Todd Murphy for the first wicket of the day.
Murphy then got rid of the other set batter, Padikkal, for 88, in his very next over, trapping him in front. Baba Indrajith (6) recorded his second failure of the match, while Ishan Kishan chipped in with a valuable 32 off 58. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has been picked for the Australia Tests, got a start but couldn't go beyond 17 as India A collapsed from 226-2 to 312 all out, with their lead restricted to 224. For Australia A, Fergus O'Neill was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4-55, while Murphy took 3-77.
Chasing 225, Australia started steadily before the 19-year-old opener in contention for a Test spot, Sam Konstas, left a back of length delivery angled in by Mukesh Kumar from wide of the crease, only for it to crash into the top of his off stump. Konstas was dismissed for 16 in the ninth over before Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris stitched 41 for the second wicket.
Prasidh Krishna then displayed his skills, getting one to bounce awkwardly into Bancroft's chest, forcing him to fend it off his gloves to Sudharsan at gully. Harris was the next to go, edging one behind to the wicketkeeper off left-arm spinner Manav Suthar as Australia A were reduced to 85-3, still 145 short of their target.
India A, however, failed to capitalise on the momentum they had gained as skipper Nathan McSweeney (47) and Beau Webster (19) safely negotiated the Indian attack for the rest of the day to take Australia A to a commanding position, needing only another 86 when they will come out to bat on the final day.
Australia A vs India A: Brief scores on day two
Australia A 139-3 (McSweeney 47*, Krishna 1-17) & 195 need another 86 runs v India A 312 (Sudharsan 103, O'Neill 4-55) & 107.
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