KL Rahul delivered a batting masterclass with an unbeaten 176 as India A defeated Australia A by five wickets on Day 4 of the second unofficial four-day Test in Lucknow. Chasing a daunting 412, India A completed one of their most memorable run chases, built on Rahul’s brilliance and Sai Sudharsan’s composed century.
KL Rahul, who had retired hurt on 74 on Day 3, resumed his innings with characteristic calmness and authority. The right-hander finished on 176 off 216 deliveries, striking 16 boundaries and four sixes to anchor the chase. At the other end, Sai Sudharsan played a pivotal supporting role, scoring a determined 100 from 172 balls, decorated with nine fours and a six.
Captain Dhruv Jurel injected pace into the chase with a fluent 56 from 66 balls, including five fours and three sixes. His 115-run partnership with Rahul swung momentum India A’s way before Corey Rocchiccioli ended his innings. Nitish Kumar Reddy ensured there were no late hiccups, staying unbeaten on 16* and stitching an unbroken 31-run stand with Rahul to secure victory.
Bowlers Shine Early, But India A Dominate Final Day
Despite Todd Murphy’s 3/114 and Rocchiccioli’s 2/84, Australia A’s attack couldn’t halt India A’s charge. The hosts started the final day at 169/2, still needing 243 runs, with Sudharsan (44*) and Manav Suthar (1*) in the middle.
Australia A’s first innings had been powered by fifties from McSweeney (74) and Jack Edwards (88), guiding them to 420 despite Suthar’s five-wicket haul (5/107). India A’s reply faltered, managing only 194 runs, with Sudharsan’s 75 standing out as Henry Thornton grabbed 4/36.
The visitors stumbled again in their second innings, collapsing to 16/3. Mohammed Siraj (2/20) and Gurnoor Brar (3/42) ripped through the top order, while Suthar added 3/50. McSweeney’s unbeaten 85 and Josh Philippe’s brisk 50 helped Australia A reach 185, leaving India A a steep target of 412.
Rahul’s commanding knock, backed by Sudharsan’s resilience, turned the uphill chase into a statement win, underlining India A’s growing strength in red-ball cricket.
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