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As many as 14 wickets fell on Day 2 of the first unofficial Test between India A and Australia A at Cricket Association Puducherry Siechem Ground. After Kumar Kushagra's gritty 113 helped hosts post 334 on the board, Australia A were bowled out for 171 with Mumbai left-arm spinner Shams Mulani registering a four-wicket haul. India A are in control of the game with a 163-run lead in the bag.
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Wickets fall but Kushagra scores ton
Early into Day 2's play, Brendan Doggett got Tanush Kotian caught in the slip cordon by skipper Peter Handscomb. Kotian departed after scoring 69 runs from 138 balls. Kushagra arrived at the crease after getting retired hurt for 82 on Day 1 and started with a boundary. Todd Murphy ended Mulani's resistance. Mulani departed after scoring 18 runs from 73 balls. In the 104th over, Kushagra reached his seventh first-class century from 202 balls.
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Anshul Kamboj fell into Liam Scott's trap and got caught by Murphy for a 32-ball 23. Then, Corey Rocchiccioli knocked over Kushagra. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 113 runs from 240 balls including 12 fours. A few overs later, Murphy dismissed Tushar Deshpande for a 23-ball 14. India A posted 334 on the board from 117.3 overs.
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Australia A face collapse
Kamboj honed in on his lines with the new ball and was rewarded for it. He dismissed Campbell Kellaway lbw in the ninth over for a single-digit score. Giving his audition as Marnus Labuschagne's replacement for Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2027, Nathan McSweeney got bowled for a 17-ball duck by Praful Hinge. Another candidate, skipper Handscomb got bowled for a single-digit score by Mulani. Young Sam Konstas could not convert the start into a big score. Deshpande got him out lbw for a 76-ball 25. Australia A lost four wickets for 40 runs. At tea break, the visitors were 44/4 after 24 overs.
Jason Sangha and Josh Philippe looked to get the innings back on track. Kotian was introduced into the attack and he delivered with Philippe's wicket. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 14 runs from 29 balls. Scott looked to attack, hitting Kotian for two fours and a six in the 36th over. Mulani ended Scott's stay at the crease. He scored 26 runs from 30 balls. In his next over, he dismissed Sangha as well. He missed his fifty and departed for a 64-ball 44 including five fours and a six.
The lower order could not put a fight either. Deshpande returned and knocked over Fergus O Neill. Mulani continued to strike, dismissing Murphy, his fourth victim of the day. Doggett hit a six and a four before falling Kotian. Australia A were bowled out for 171 in 55.3 overs. India A have a 163-run first innings lead going into Day 3.
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