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Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan delivered impressive performances to put India A in a commanding position against Australia A on Day 2 of the first unofficial Test in Mackay, Queensland.
As stumps were called, India A had reached 208/2, leading by 120 runs, with Padikkal and Sudharsan unbeaten at 80 off 167 balls and 96 off 185 balls, respectively.
Despite early setbacks with the dismissals of Abhimanyu Easwaran and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, the two left-handers handled Australia’s bowling attack with confidence. Gaikwad was dismissed by Fergus O'Neill for just 5 runs, while Easwaran ran himself out for 12, leaving India in a precarious position at 30/2. However, Padikkal and Sudharsan combined for an unbeaten 178-run partnership, steering the team out of trouble.
Australia A captain Nathan McSweeney tried seven different bowlers in an effort to break their partnership, but Padikkal and Sudharsan maintained their focus, accumulating runs and forcing Australia to adjust their bowling and field placements. By the end of Day 2, Australia was left struggling.
Earlier in the day, Mukesh dismissed Connolly for 37, ending a 51-run partnership with McSweeney. He also took the wicket of Josh Philippe, who scored just 4 runs. Nitish Kumar Reddy then claimed McSweeney for 39 off 131 balls, contributing to Australia A’s total of 195 runs.
The Indian pace attack proved too strong, with Mukesh taking six wickets for 46 runs in 18.4 overs, while Prasidh Krishna added 3 for 59 in 18 overs and Nitish claimed one wicket.
In their first innings, India A had been bundled out for just 107 runs, giving Australia A an 88-run lead. Padikkal (36 runs off 77 balls) and Sudharsan (21 runs off 35 balls) provided vital contributions, along with Navdeep Saini, who scored 23 off 42 balls.
Brendan Doggett was the standout bowler for Australia A, finishing with figures of 6 for 15 in 11 overs, while Jordan Buckingham took two wickets, and Todd Murphy and Fergus O'Neill picked up one each.
