After Dhruv Jurel, it was Devdutt Padikkal's turn to reach triple figures for India A in their first unofficial Test against Australia A. The latter, who was unbeaten on 86 at the end of Day 3, reached his hundred in the opening session of the next day after facing 198 deliveries. It was a brilliant knock from Padikkal who waited for his chances and pounced on the loose deliveries from the Australian bowlers.
Thanks to his and Jurel's sensational knocks, India A crossed the 500-run mark and are now within touching distance of surpassing the total of 532 that Australia A had posted in their first innings. The duo had joined forces on the crease during Day 3 with India A on 222/4. They then went on to form a humongous 228-run partnership to take the side's total to the 450-run mark.
Jurel was the one to be dismissed first and departed back to the dugout after playing a stellar knock of 140. Spinner Corey Rocchiccioli was the one who took the prized wicket and got his side back into the game. However, this didn't stop Padikkal from piling on runs as the opposing bowlers struggled against him.
The century was Padikkal's seventh when it comes to first-class cricket and it also saw him surpass the 3000-run mark in the format. The batter from Karnataka has so far played 45 matches in the first-class format and now has seven tons and 18 fifties under his name. He has a blistering average of 41.85 alongwith the highest individual score of 193.
Padikkal dismissed for 150
Meanwhile, Padikkal eventually went on to lose his wicket for 150 runs from 281 deliveries in the Test against Australia A. This spendid knock included 14 boundaries and a six and has given India A a golden chance to take a valuable lead. It was Rocchiccioli, who got the wicket of Padikkal in the 138th over of India A's innings. This was the spinner's third wicket of the inning and he has undoubtedly been Australia's top bowler in the match so far.