On Wednesday, September 24, Indian opener KL Rahul played a brief and disappointing match for India A against Australia A at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Australia A scored almost 400 runs in the first innings, putting pressure on the host team.
India A began their innings in the first session of Day 2, with KL Rahul and Narayan Jagadeesan leading the way.
Rahul, famed for his controlled manner, faced 24 balls and scored 11 runs, including a single boundary, before being bowled by Will Sutherland and caught behind by wicketkeeper Josh Phillippe. His early removal interrupted India A’s momentum, especially because Australia A had already set an impressive score.
After Rahul left around lunchtime, Sai Sudharsan joined Jagadeesan at the crease. At the break, Sudharsan had 1* from five balls, while Jagadeesan had a solid 24* from 33 deliveries, including five fours. India A scored 38 runs in 10 overs, losing one wicket.
Earlier, Australia A’s innings lasted 97.2 overs, during which they were eventually bowled out for 420. The inning was boosted by a strong 91-run partnership for the final wicket between Todd Murphy and Henry Thornton. Murphy scored 76 off 89 balls, featuring 12 fours and a six, while Thornton remained unbeaten on 32. The visitors’ innings had earlier been anchored by Nathan McSweeney, who scored 74 from 162 balls, and Jack Edwards, who played a brisk 88 off 78 deliveries on the opening day of play.
For the Dhruv Jurel-led side, Gurnoor Brar impressed with figures of 3/75, and Manav Suthar produced a five-wicket haul, finishing with 5/107. Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj picked up one wicket each. Despite the strong bowling effort, India A found themselves under significant pressure early in their second innings. At lunch on Day 2, India A trailed by 382 runs.
India
