IND A vs AUS A 2025: KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan lead India A's fightback in tall chase

India A bounced back sharply on Day 3 of the second unofficial Test against Australia A on Thursday, September 25, at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Australia A, who had lost two wickets on Day 2, continued to struggle with the bat, failing to provide any significant partnerships apart from a few individual efforts.

Australia A were bowled out for 185 runs in 46.5 overs, with skipper Nathan McSweeney top-scoring with an unbeaten on 85 off 149 balls, including 10 fours and a six. The wicketkeeper-batter Josh Phillippe also played a useful knock of 50 from 48 balls, hitting eight fours. However, apart from these two, the rest of the batting lineup faltered, offering no substantial support.

For India A, Gurnoor Brar and Manav Suthar led the bowling attack, picking up three wickets each while Mohammed Siraj and Yash Thakur also contributed with two wickets apiece as Australia A set India A a target of 412 runs to win.

India A’s innings started positively with openers Narayan Jagadeesan and KL Rahul putting together a solid partnership of 85 runs. Jagadeesan contributed 36 before Rahul joined hands with Sai Sudharsan to stabilise the innings further. Rahul retired after scoring 74 off 92, including nine fours, allowing the middle order to build on the foundation.

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Devdutt Padikkal fell cheaply for five, but Sudharsan remained unbeaten on 44 alongside Suthar, with India A requiring 243 more on the final day to secure a win and claim the two-match series.

Earlier in the day, the Indian squad for the upcoming West Indies series was announced, with Rahul, Jagadeesan, Sudharsan, and Padikkal included among others. On the final day, Sudharsan will aim to anchor the innings and guide India A to victory, while Australia A will look to take quick wickets and gain momentum ahead of the one-day matches.