India A have taken a 1-0 lead in the unofficial Test series against Australia A after beating them by 162 runs in Puducherry.
India A, led by Devdutt Padikkal, set Australia A a target of 363 after scoring 334 in their first innings and 199 in the second.
Australia A started the fourth day on 55/2, needing another 308 runs for victory. However, their batting collapsed as India A’s bowlers kept picking up wickets on a spin friendly pitch.
Tushar Deshpande gave India A an early breakthrough by dismissing Nathan McSweeney for 35. Peter Handscomb then fell for 16 before Deshpande struck twice in consecutive deliveries to remove Josh Philippe and Liam Scott.
Tanush Kotian soon joined the attack, dismissing Jason Sangha for 26 as Australia A slipped to 124/7.
Fergus O’Neill tried to keep the chase alive with a counter attacking 47 off 52 balls, but Shams Mulani ended his innings soon after lunch. The left arm spinner then dismissed Todd Murphy and Brendan Doggett in consecutive overs as Australia A were bowled out for 200 in 55.1 overs.
Mulani finished with three wickets, while Deshpande also took three. Anshul Kamboj and Kotian picked up the other wickets.
Kumar Kushagra was named Player of the Match after scoring 113 in the first innings and an unbeaten 46 in the second. Sai Sudharsan and Kotian also scored fifties in India A’s first innings.
Australia A’s bowlers had their moments, with Corey Rocchiccioli and Murphy taking four wickets each. However, their batting never managed to produce a half century in either innings.
India A will now face Australia A in the second unofficial Test from September 29 at the same venue, with a chance to win the two match series 2-0.
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