Sai Sudharsan, Kumar Kushagra and Tanush Kotian scored fighting half-centuries as India A recovered from a difficult start to finish the opening day of the first four-day match against Australia A at 257 for five on Tuesday.
Kotian was unbeaten on 68 off 134 balls at stumps, while Shams Mulani was with him on 10 off 43 balls. The pair will resume on the second day with India A looking to build a strong first-innings total.
Kotian and Kushagra put together a crucial 138-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Kushagra made 82 from 160 balls before retiring hurt, apparently because of cramps.
Sudharsan Makes Strong Return
Sudharsan marked his return from a more than month-long injury layoff with a composed 57 off 103 balls.
The left-hander looked solid at the top of the order after missing the recent Test tour to Sri Lanka and the Duleep Trophy because of a toe injury.
He brought up his half-century from 85 balls in his first competitive match in more than a month.
Sudharsan also shared a 58-run partnership for the third wicket with Shaik Rasheed. The pair helped India A recover to 78 for two after Aman Mokhade and captain Devdutt Padikkal were dismissed early.
Padikkal had been the player of the series after scoring two fifties in the Test series against Sri Lanka.
However, Sudharsan could not turn his fifty into a bigger score. He attempted to flick spinner Corey Rocchiccioli but ended up giving him a return catch.
India A Slip To 97 For Five
After Sudharsan’s dismissal, Australia A quickly put India A under pressure.
Rocchiccioli and the Australian attack removed Rasheed and Yash Rathod in quick succession, leaving the hosts in trouble at 97 for five around half an hour into the second session.
Australia A had a strong bowling attack, with Test bowlers Brendan Doggett and Todd Murphy included in the playing XI.
Kushagra and Kotian Steady The Innings
Kushagra and Kotian then came together and changed the course of the innings with a 138-run stand.
Kushagra, who recently scored a century for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy final in Chennai, showed good patience against the Australia A attack.
The Jharkhand batter played confidently in the ‘V’ and through the covers. He reached his fifty from 103 balls after initially attacking spinner Corey Rocchiccioli with a boundary through mid-off.
The 21-year-old then settled into a more controlled approach but could not complete his century after retiring hurt, apparently due to cramps.
Kotian, meanwhile, remained unbeaten till the close. He reached his fifty from 90 balls and continued to attack when the opportunity came.
The India A regular even flat-batted Todd Murphy through the covers for a boundary, underlining his ability to play with power and timing. With Kotian unbeaten on 68 and Mulani on 10, India A ended the day at 257 for five after recovering from 97 for five.