Mukesh Kumar's Six-Wicket Haul, Padikkal-Sudharsan Partnership Propel India A to Dominant Position

India A rebounded strongly on Day 2 of their tour at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, thanks to Mukesh Kumar’s superb six-wicket haul and a resilient partnership between Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal. Australia A, resuming on 99 for 4, were bowled out for 195, giving India A a second chance with the bat, which they capitalized on to reach 208 for 2 at stumps, leading by 120 runs.

Nathan McSweeney and Cooper Connolly provided a steady start for Australia A, with Connolly looking fluent until he was caught by Manav Suthar off Mukesh Kumar’s bowling. Mukesh then removed Josh Phillippe in his next over, while Nitish Reddy ended McSweeney's innings, leaving Australia A struggling at 136 for 7. Todd Murphy’s gritty 33 added some late runs, but Mukesh’s excellent spell (6 for 46) wrapped up the innings, with support from Prasidh Krishna, who took 3 for 59.

Starting their second innings 88 runs behind, India A had a shaky beginning, losing openers Abhimanyu Easwaran and Ruturaj Gaikwad quickly. However, with conditions improving for batting, Sudharsan and Padikkal built a crucial 178-run stand. Both batters were composed, using their feet well against Murphy’s spin. Sudharsan played a patient knock of 96* off 185 balls, striking nine fours, while Padikkal contributed 80* off 167 balls, hitting five boundaries. Padikkal also survived a no-ball reprieve at 31, making the most of it to reach stumps unscathed.

Brief Scores:

• India A: 107 & 208/2 (Sai Sudharsan 96*, Devdutt Padikkal 80*; Fergus O'Neill 1-33)
• Australia A: 195 (Nathan McSweeney 39; Mukesh Kumar 6-46, Prasidh Krishna 3-59)

India A leads by 120 runs.