KL Rahul struck a fluent 74 before retiring hurt, keeping India A in the hunt for a challenging 412-run target against Australia A on the third day of the second unofficial Test on Thursday.
Improved effort with the ball
Starting the day at 16 for three, Australia A folded for 185 in their second innings. Gurnoor Brar and Manav Suthar claimed three wickets apiece, while Mohammed Siraj added two to finish with a match tally of three. Suthar had earlier bagged a five-wicket haul in the first innings.
Rahul leads the reply
Chasing 412, India A ended the day strongly at 169 for two, still needing 243 runs. Rahul, who is part of India’s squad for the upcoming West Indies series, looked in fine touch and hit nine boundaries before walking back retired hurt.
N Jagadeesan contributed 36 at the top, while Sai Sudharsan remained unbeaten on 44 alongside Suthar, who was on one at stumps. Off-spinner Todd Murphy claimed both wickets to fall in the innings, dismissing Jagadeesan and Devdutt Padikkal.
Match finely poised
With eight wickets still in hand, India A will aim to build on the solid foundation and push for an unlikely but possible victory on the final two days.
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