India A look to build on a lower-order recovery as they enter the second day of the first unofficial Test against Australia A in Puducherry. The home side finished Day 1 at 257/5 in 89 overs at the Cricket Association Puducherry Siechem Ground, having recovered from 97/5.
A 138-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Kumar Kushagra and Tanush Kotian stabilized the innings. Kushagra scored 82 off 160 balls before retiring hurt due to cramps in the 79th over. He remains eligible to resume his innings on Day 2 depending on a fitness check. Kotian remained unbeaten on 68 off 134 balls at the close of play.
Opener Sai Sudharsan, returning from a month-long toe injury layoff, provided the initial foundation with 57 off 103 balls. However, his dismissal triggered a middle-order collapse where India A lost four wickets for 40 runs.
Off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli was the most effective bowler for Australia A, finishing with figures of 3/72 in 18 overs. He dismissed Shaik Rasheed, Yash Rathod, and the set Sudharsan. Rocchiccioli credited his bowling partner Todd Murphy for the pressure that allowed him to attack. “I probably sat behind ‘Murph’ (Todd Murphy) a little bit, he bowled brilliantly and I was able to attack from one end,” Rocchiccioli said.
While the spin duo found success, the Australian pace attack, including Brendan Doggett, remained wicketless throughout the first day. This match also marks Devdutt Padikkal’s debut as India A captain. Padikkal, who fell for 13, noted the significance of the role: “Leadership is something that I really enjoy doing, especially starting off with Karnataka last year. It was a great learning curve for me. It’s a great opportunity to be captain of India A.”
India A will resume Day 2 with Kotian at the crease, while Australia A will seek to break the lower-order resistance early to prevent Kushagra from returning to the middle.
