Rahul and Sai Sudharsan Centuries Power India A to Memorable Series Win Over Australia A

Rahul and Sai Sudharsan Centuries Power India A to Memorable Series Win Over Australia A

India A pulled off a sensational run chase to defeat Australia A by five wickets in the second unofficial Test at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, sealing a 1-0 series victory. Chasing a mammoth target of 412, India A rode on brilliant centuries from KL Rahul and B Sai Sudharsan to script one of the most memorable wins in recent India A history.

Resuming the final day at 169 for 2, still needing 243 runs for victory, the hosts looked confident and composed at the crease. Sai Sudharsan, who began the day well set, continued to score freely and was soon joined by Rahul, who had retired hurt on 74 the previous evening. Returning after the fall of nightwatchman Manav Suthar, Rahul anchored the innings with composure and flair.

The pair added 78 crucial runs in the morning session, with both batters bringing up their centuries. Sai Sudharsan departed for a well-made 100, but by then, India A had firmly seized control. His wicket brought Dhruv Jurel to the crease, and he ensured the momentum didn’t dip, smashing a quick-fire 56 off just 66 balls. His partnership of 115 runs with Rahul, scored in less than 19 overs, effectively took the game beyond the Australians' reach.

Rahul remained unbeaten on 176, guiding the team home in style. His 210-ball knock included 16 boundaries and four sixes, delivered at a commanding strike rate of 83.81. He was ably supported at the end by Nitish Kumar Reddy, who chipped in with a brisk 16* off 15 balls.

Earlier in the match, India A had posted 194 in their first innings, trailing Australia A’s 420 by a significant margin. Sai Sudharsan had top-scored with 75 in that effort. In the second innings, Australia A were bundled out for 185, with Manav Suthar (3-50) and Abhishek Sharma (3-42) doing the damage for India.

Despite early breakthroughs by the visitors in India A’s chase—Todd Murphy and Corey Rocchiccioli shared five wickets—Rahul’s calm and calculated innings proved to be the difference. Murphy picked up three wickets in total, including those of Jagadeesan and Padikkal on Day 3, while Rocchiccioli dismissed both Sudharsan and Jurel.

The loss was a tough one for Australia A, whose relatively inexperienced bowling attack—featuring just eight Test caps between them—struggled to contain the Indian batters on a flat pitch.

With this five-wicket win, India A clinched the two-match unofficial Test series 1-0, following a draw in the first game. The action now shifts to Kanpur for the three-match one-day series, starting September 30.

Score Summary:

  • Australia A: 420 (Edwards 88, Murphy 76; Suthar 5-107) & 185 (McSweeney 85*; Brar 3-42, Suthar 3-50)

  • India A: 194 (Sai Sudharsan 75; Thornton 4-36, Murphy 2-48) & 413/5 (Rahul 176*, Sai Sudharsan 100, Jurel 56; Murphy 3-114)

Result: India A won by five wickets
Series: India A won the 2-match series 1-0

Next Fixture:
1st One-Day (India A vs Australia A) – September 30, Kanpur