India A maintained their momentum from the previous day and continued to close the gap against Australia A in the first unofficial Test at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Australia A, after declaring a mammoth 532/6 on Day 2, put the hosts under early strain. In response, India A reached 116/1 at stumps on the second day, with Narayan Jagadeesan and Sai Sudharsan holding steady at the crease.
The third day, like the first two, began with a delay due to rain. When play began, Jagadeesan added to his overnight total before falling to Xavier Bartlett for a well-made 64 off 113 balls, which included seven boundaries and a six. His dismissal placed Devdutt Padikkal into the crease with Sudharsan. The left-hander appeared to be fluent as he approached his 50th birthday. Sudharsan played some elegant strokes in his 73-run knock from 124 deliveries, including 10 boundaries, before being bowled out by Cooper Connolly in the second session.
India A skipper Shreyas Iyer, who walked in next, could not make a significant impact and was removed for just 8 by off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli.
With India A at a tricky position, Padikkal and wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel stitched together a crucial stand.
The pair frustrated the Australian bowlers, showing solid temperament and skill against both pace and spin. Their fifth-wicket partnership crossed 150, steadying the innings and ensuring India A stayed in contention.
By the time Stumps were called on Day 3, Padikkal remained unbeaten on 86 from 178 balls, an innings laced with eight boundaries, while Jurel stole the spotlight with a scintillating century. The young batter, also the vice-captain of the side, finished the day on 113 not out from just 132 deliveries, striking 10 fours and four sixes to dominate the Australian attack.
At the end of the day’s play, the Shreyas Iyer-led side had reached 403/4 in 103 overs, trailing by 129 runs. For Australia A, Bartlett (1/60), Rocchiccioli (1/128), Liam Scott (1/31), and Connolly (1/46) picked up a wicket each. With only one day remaining, the contest looks headed toward a draw unless something dramatic unfolds on the final day.
India
