India A closed Day 3 of the second unofficial Test against Australia A in Lucknow with a promising total of 169/2, leaving themselves 243 runs short of a challenging 412-run target. With eight wickets in hand and over four sessions remaining, the match is finely poised heading into a decisive final day.
Australia A began the day under pressure after a late collapse on Day 2 had left them vulnerable at 4 down. However, a gritty fifth-wicket partnership between skipper Nathan McSweeney and wicketkeeper-batter Josh Philippe helped them stabilize. The pair added 90 runs with Philippe playing the aggressor, hammering eight boundaries en route to a quickfire 50 off just 48 deliveries.
Philippe’s counterattack was halted by left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, who claimed three wickets in the innings alongside pacer Gurnoor Brar. McSweeney remained the anchor, registering a fighting unbeaten 85 as the visitors were bowled out for 185 in the second session. The rest of the Australian line-up offered little resistance, with Mohammed Siraj and Yash Thakur chipping in with two wickets apiece.
Set a daunting target of 412, India A’s openers responded with positive intent. N Jagadeesan and Sai Sudharsan saw off the new ball threat to guide India to 39/0 at Tea. Jagadeesan, after a brisk start, slowed down considerably and eventually fell to off-spinner Todd Murphy early in the final session.
The momentum was carried forward by KL Rahul, who looked composed at the crease. Partnering with Sudharsan, Rahul stitched together a 65-run stand that brought India A firmly back into the contest. Rahul was in fluent touch, scoring an unbeaten 74 before retiring hurt late in the session—raising concerns but also demonstrating his form and experience.
Devdutt Padikkal, brought in as Rahul’s replacement, failed to make an impact, falling cheaply just before Stumps. Despite the setback, India A’s position remains strong at 169/2, with Sudharsan unbeaten on 44 and a deep batting line-up to follow.
With 243 more runs needed and two full sessions on the final day, India A will aim to script a memorable chase. Australia A, however, will back their experienced bowling attack to make early inroads and swing the game in their favour.
