IND A vs AUS A | KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan warm up for West Indies series with centuries

‌KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan got ready for the upcoming West Indies series with match-winning centuries in India A’s second unofficial Test against Australia A on Friday. Rahul’s marathon unbeaten knock, alongside Sudharsan’s heroics, helped the home side chase down a gargantuan 412 on the fourth and final day at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. With that five-wicket win, India A sealed the two-match tie after the first Test ended in a draw at the same venue.

The visitors took advantage after being put into bat, putting 420 on the board despite left-arm spinner Manav Suthar’s hardworking five-wicket haul. To make matters worse, the hosts were bowled out for just 194, with Sudharsan being the lone half-centurion with a fighting 75 off 140 balls. The left-handed batter, who walked in at three, hit six fours and a six during his knock as Australia A had a healthy lead of 226 at the halfway stage.

India put on an improved bowling display in the second innings to restrict the visitors to 185. The pace trio of Mohammed Siraj, Gurnoor Brar, and Yash Thakur collectively picked up seven wickets with the target going past the 400-run mark.

With a daunting target ahead, the India A openers N Jagadeesan and Rahul started well, adding 85 runs in 17 overs before the former was dismissed by off-spinner Todd Murphy. However, Rahul took forward the pursuit with a steady hand from Sudharsan, who once again came good in the second innings. With the score reading 150/1, the Karnataka batter retired and went in after completing his half-century late towards the end of the third day.

Sudharsan completed his century, his second fifty-plus score in the game, before getting dismissed, with the hosts still needing 145 more runs. The Tamil Nadu batter’s gritty knock had nine fours and a six and came in 172 balls. Rahul returned to continue his innings as he joined Dhruv Jurel in the middle.

The opener completed his century as both players looked aggressive, adding 115 runs in just 18.4 overs, and taking the side to the doorstep of victory. Rahul remained unconquered on 176 off 210 balls, hitting 16 fours and four sixes, as the hosts reached 413/5 in 91.3 overs. Meanwhile, Jurel also chipped in with a useful half-century, with five fours and three sixes to his name.