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After being pinned to the mat on the back of a horror showing with the bat on day one, India ‘A’ bounced back emphatically on the second day to take firm control of the first unofficial Test in Mackay.
India ‘A’ ended the second day 208/2 in their second innings, leading Australia ‘A’ by 120 runs.
That the visitors ended the second day firmly on top was thanks to the left-handed duo of Sai Sudharsan (96*) and Devdutt Padikkal (80*), who stitched together an unbroken 178-run stand for the third wicket to frustrate the hosts and help the visitors take control of the contest.
After India were rolled over for 107 on the first day, a six-wicket haul from Mukesh Kumar helped the tourists bowl Australia ‘A’ out for 195. India ‘A’ were in early trouble in their second innings as well, losing both Ruturaj Gaikwad (5) and Abhimanyu Easwaran (12) cheaply. That’s when Sudharsan and Padikkal got together and put India ‘A’ in a position of command.
In the first innings as well, among the top seven batters, both these left-handers were the only Indians to cross the 20-run mark. But after failing to turn the start into a substantial score on day one, the duo made amends on day two.
Victoria’s Fergus O'Neill was the only Australia ‘A’ seamer to pick a wicket on the second day. Brendan Doggett, who took a six-wicket haul in the first innings, leaked 30 runs at nearly four an over while part-time spinner Cooper Connolly was hammered, with the left-arm spinner conceding 25 runs off the three overs he bowled.
Between them, Padikkal and Sudharsan blasted 14 boundaries in total.
Both youngsters will be aiming to bring up their tons on day three. If they do, it will be the second first-class ton outside India for Sudharsan and a maiden FC ton outside home for Padikkal. Sudharsan’s previous FC ton outside India came in Nottingham, representing Surrey, earlier this year.
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