Padikkal hits 59 as India A collapse to 199 in second innings

India A collapsed from 93/1 to 199 all out in their second innings, setting Australia A a 363-run target in the opening four-day game in Puducherry. Todd Murphy took four wickets as Australia A reached 55/2 at stumps

Puducherry: India A collapsed from 93/1 to 199 all out in their second innings despite half-centuries from skipper Devdutt Padikkal and a strong first-innings lead, setting Australia A an improbable target of 363 in the opening four-day game here on Thursday.

Australia A were 55/2 at stumps, needing 308 more runs for victory and requiring to bat through the final day to save the game.

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Off-spinner Todd Murphy was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors, taking four wickets, including that of Sai Sudharsan. Murphy had also taken three wickets in the first innings.

Sudharsan, who scored a fifty in the first innings, made 39 off 85 balls with three fours, while fellow left-hander Padikkal scored 59 off 88 balls, hitting seven fours.

The pair put on 68 for the second wicket as India A built on their solid first-innings lead of 163 runs.

Sudharsan was dismissed lbw while attempting to sweep Murphy just before lunch, becoming the first of the off-spinner’s four victims in the innings.

Padikkal, who recorded his fourth 50-plus score in as many first-class matches, reached his half-century with successive fours off pacer Liam Scott.

The skipper was the fifth wicket to fall, dismissed lbw by Scott, as India A suffered a dramatic collapse and lost their last six wickets for 48 runs.

First-innings centurion Kumar Kushagra remained unbeaten on 46 as India A were bowled out for 199 in 57.4 overs.

Australia A, chasing 363, lost two wickets before stumps but survived the day’s play with 55/2 on the board.

Brief scores: India A 334 & 199 all out in 57.4 overs (Sai Sudharsan 39, Devdutt Padikkal 59, Kumar Kushagra 46 not out;