If Australia-A’s innings was constructed around power-hitting, India-A’s fightback on Thursday was built on textbook strokes spread all over the Ekana Cricket Stadium.

Dhruv Jurel (113 batting) displayed his willingness to take on bowlers, Devdutt Padikkal (86 batting) was composed, while Sai Sudharsan impressed with his silken wrists as the trio helped the host finish the third day of the first unofficial Test on 403 for four, 129 runs behind Australia-A’s 532 for six declared.

Vice-captain Jurel and Padikkal added 181 runs for the fifth wicket.

The unbeaten partnership not only kept India-A’s innings afloat but also drew huge cheers from the small section of spectators as their flurry of strokes echoed around the empty stands.

The wicketkeeper-batter signalled his intent early against Corey Rocchiccioli, coming down the track to loft him over midwicket before pulling the off-spinner for four later. The 24-year-old was solid in defence but showed he could switch gears at will. Against Rocchiccioli, Jurel smacked two sixes and followed it up with a late cut to reach his half-century in just 55 deliveries.

He continued in similar fashion and brought up his hundred in 115 balls, smashing 10 fours and four sixes.

At the other end, Padikkal was content to play the second fiddle. For much of his knock, the left-hander relied on soft hands, defending and working the ball around. But he broke free with a cracking lofted drive over cover to reach his fifty in 117 balls.

The duo made full use of the hardness of the second new ball to drive, flick and pull their way into stumps, holding India-A’s innings together after captain Shreyas Iyer fell cheaply.

Iyer, looking to work Rocchiccioli to the leg side, was trapped in front for just eight – only a couple of balls after he had danced down the wicket to hit the bowler over mid-on.

Earlier, overnight batter N. Jagadeesan was dismissed 20 minutes into the day, which began an hour and a half late due to rain, for 64. With dampness in the wicket and overcast skies offering assistance in the morning session, Xavier Bartlett took advantage and found the edge to remove the opener.

Sudharsan, however, tackled the challenge with composure.

Solid in defence, the 23-year-old didn’t let anything shake his focus. He left the short-ball barrage alone, and when Bartlett bluffed by pitching going fuller, he drove him straight past mid-on.

His wrists worked their magic: a glorious cover drive off Liam Scott and a neat pick-up to square leg brought him his fifty. His well-constructed 73 off 124 balls ended uncharacteristically, trapped leg-before attempting a reverse sweep off left-arm spinner Cooper Connolly. His effort gave a strong platform for Jurel and Padikkal to build upon through the day.

Published on Sep 18, 2025