Puducherry, October 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Yash Rathod and Shams Mulani produced determined performances under immense pressure as India A secured a dramatic draw against Australia A in the second unofficial Test on Friday, sealing the two-match series 1-0.
Chasing a challenging target of 365 runs in the fourth innings, India A finished at 310/9 in 103 overs, falling 55 runs short of what would have been a record chase. However, their resolute batting ensured they survived a relentless Australian pace attack and preserved the series advantage earned through a 162-run victory in the opening match.
Rathod’s gritty 80 and a patient 52 from nightwatchman Tushar Deshpande provided the foundation for India’s resistance, while Mulani’s marathon innings of 26 off 131 deliveries proved crucial in keeping the visitors at bay during the closing stages.
India A began the final day under considerable pressure but received valuable resistance from Deshpande, who occupied the crease for 180 minutes. The Mumbai pacer registered his second first-class half-century and shared a vital 60-run partnership with captain Devdutt Padikkal, who contributed 26.
Australia A medium-pacer Liam Scott turned the contest in his team’s favour after lunch with a devastating spell on a deteriorating pitch offering variable bounce. He dismissed Padikkal, who was caught sharply by wicketkeeper Josh Philippe, while Liam Hatcher removed Deshpande.
Scott then accounted for first-match centurion Kumar Kushagra, while off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli dismissed Tanush Kotian, leaving India A struggling at 199/7 in 60.2 overs with little more than a session remaining.
Rathod and Mulani then mounted a determined fightback, adding 85 runs for the eighth wicket from 131 deliveries. Their partnership significantly frustrated Australia’s hopes of forcing a victory and brought India A closer to a hard-fought draw.
The contest, however, took another dramatic turn when Scott trapped Rathod leg-before-wicket. Two overs later, the pacer dismissed Mulani in similar fashion, leaving India A at 307/9 with only three overs remaining.
With Anshul Kamboj having joined India’s squad for the third ODI against the West Indies, substitute batter Praful Hinge came in at number 11. Nachiket Bhute, who remained unbeaten on 20 off 21 balls, stood firm alongside Hinge, who faced six deliveries without scoring, as India A negotiated the final overs to secure the draw.
Scott finished with five wickets in the innings, but India A’s determined lower-order resistance ensured that Australia A could not overturn the series deficit.
Brief Scores
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Australia A: 358 and 173/4 declared (Jason Sangha 44 not out, Sam Konstas 40; Tanush Kotian 2/55).
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India A: 167 and 310/9 in 103 overs (Yash Rathod 80, Tushar Deshpande 52; Liam Scott 5/37).
Result: Match drawn. India A won the two-match unofficial Test series 1-0.
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