Australia A level series despite Tilak’s fighting 94

Tilak Varma once again showed his growing maturity as a one-day batter with a determined knock of 94, but it wasn’t enough as Australia A cruised to a nine-wicket win in the rain-hit second One Day at Green Park on Friday. The result means the three-match series is now level at 1-1, with the decider scheduled for Sunday.

Tilak holds India A together

Batting first, India A were reduced to 17 for 3 after openers, including Abhishek Sharma, fell cheaply. Skipper Shreyas Iyer also managed only eight. Tilak then anchored the innings with grit, adding 101 runs with Riyan Parag (58) for the fourth wicket to steady the side.

He continued to build partnerships lower down the order, including a 34-run stand with Ravi Bishnoi and another 28-run stand with Arshdeep Singh. Tilak eventually fell for 94 off 122 balls, with five fours and four sixes, as India A posted 246. Jack Edwards was the standout bowler for Australia A, taking four wickets.

Aussies dominate rain-curtailed chase

Rain delayed play for over three hours, forcing a revised target of 160 in 25 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis method. Australia A had already made a solid start before the break, reaching 48 without loss in 5.5 overs.

After the resumption, Jake Fraser-McGurk’s quickfire 36 set the tone, while Mckenzie Harvey (70 not out off 49 balls) and Cooper Connolly (50 off 31 balls) ensured a smooth chase. The visitors sealed the win in just 16.4 overs, hammering 22 fours and six sixes in the process.

Series heads to decider

The heavy hitting left India A bowlers struggling, with Arshdeep Singh conceding 44 runs in four overs. With the series now tied, the stage is set for an exciting finale on Sunday, where selectors will once again keep a close eye on promising talents like Tilak Varma.