India A held their nerve on a dramatic final day in Puducherry to secure a draw against Australia A and clinch the two-match unofficial Test series 1-0.
Chasing a daunting target of 365, India A were reduced to 199/7 before Yash Rathod and Shams Mulani produced a determined eighth-wicket partnership that kept Australia A from completing a series-levelling victory.
India A eventually finished on 310/9 after 103 overs, surviving the final three overs with their last pair at the crease.
India A Survive a Tense Final Day
India A resumed the fourth day at 28/1, needing another 337 runs for victory.
A successful chase was always going to be difficult, but the situation became increasingly challenging as Australia A continued to pick up wickets.
India A slipped to 199/7 at 60.2 overs, leaving Australia A just three wickets away from a victory that would have levelled the series.
Instead, Rathod and Mulani launched a remarkable resistance.
Rathod and Mulani Build Match-Saving Partnership
Yash Rathod played the more attacking role during the eighth-wicket stand, while Shams Mulani concentrated on occupying the crease and frustrating the Australian bowlers.
Rathod scored 80 from 138 balls, while Mulani made 29 from 131 deliveries.
The pair added 85 runs and spent more than 36 overs together at the crease. They also negotiated 16 overs with the second new ball as Australia A searched desperately for the breakthrough.
Their partnership changed the complexion of the contest, taking India A from a position of serious danger to the brink of safety.
Liam Scott Breaks Australia A’s Resistance
Australia A finally got the breakthrough with seven overs remaining in the day.
Pacer Liam Scott, who finished with excellent figures of 5/37, trapped Rathod lbw for 80.
Two overs later, Scott dismissed Mulani to leave India A with only one wicket remaining and three overs still to negotiate.
Australia A suddenly had another opportunity to force a dramatic victory.
Bhute and Hinge Survive the Final Three Overs
With India A down to their final wicket, Nachiket Bhute and Praful Hinge walked out with one task: survive.
Bhute remained unbeaten on 20, while Hinge faced the remaining deliveries without scoring.
The pair successfully negotiated the final three overs, bringing the match to a draw and denying Australia A the victory.
Tushar Deshpande Sets Up India A’s Fightback
Earlier in the innings, Tushar Deshpande played an important role after being used as a nightwatchman.
Deshpande scored 52 from 119 balls, spending valuable time at the crease and helping India A stabilise their innings.
He shared a 60-run partnership with captain Devdutt Padikkal, who contributed 26.
India A reached 99/2 at lunch before Australia A fought back strongly during the second session and reduced the hosts to 205/7.
Australia A Fall One Wicket Short
Australia A had put themselves in a strong position earlier in the match.
They scored 358 in their first innings, before declaring their second innings at 173/4 to set India A a target of 365.
India A were dismissed for 167 in their first innings, meaning Australia A entered the final day with a realistic chance of forcing a series-levelling victory.
However, India's lower order resisted for long enough to secure the draw.
Match Summary
Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings |
|---|---|---|
Australia A | 358 | 173/4 declared |
India A | 167 | 310/9 |
Result | Match drawn | India A win series 1-0 |
India A had won the opening unofficial Test by 162 runs, meaning the draw in Puducherry was enough to secure the overall series.
Key Performers
India A
Yash Rathod: 80 off 138 balls
Tushar Deshpande: 52 off 119 balls
Shams Mulani: 29 off 131 balls
Nachiket Bhute: 20*
Australia A
Liam Scott: 5/37 in the second innings
Scott's five-wicket haul brought Australia A within one wicket of victory, but India's final pair held firm.
Shams Mulani Named Player of the Series
Shams Mulani's all-round contribution across the two-match series earned him the Player of the Series award.
Australia A's Sam Harper was named Player of the Match for the second game after his contribution earlier in the contest.
India A Win Series 1-0
The result means India A finish the two-match unofficial Test series with a 1-0 victory.
The first match was won by India A by 162 runs, while Australia A came close to levelling the series in the second game after setting a target of 365.
India A's lower-order resistance ultimately proved decisive.
Final Word
India A produced a determined final-day effort to escape with a draw against Australia A in Puducherry.
Yash Rathod's 80 and Shams Mulani's marathon 29 off 131 balls formed the centrepiece of India's resistance, while the final pair of Nachiket Bhute and Praful Hinge survived the last three overs to secure the result.
Australia A's Liam Scott finished with 5/37, but his efforts were not enough to claim the final wicket.
With the match drawn, India A completed a 1-0 series victory and finished the two-match contest with an impressive display of lower-order resilience.
