Day four of the second unofficial Test between India A and Australia A ended with the hosts chasing 412 in the fourth innings. Here's a roundup of the day's play.
KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan ton up
India A began the final day at 169-2 after 41 overs, needing 243 more runs to win. They suffered an early blow when Manav Suthar fell for five. KL Rahul, who had retired hurt the previous day on 74 from 92 balls, returned to bat next. He brought up his century off 136 balls, hitting 12 fours. Rahul, along with Sai Sudharsan, stitched a 143-run partnership for the second wicket off 228 balls. Sudharsan, who had gone to lunch on 98, reached his hundred soon after the break. However, in a lapse of concentration, he was dismissed by Corey Rocchiccioli for a 172-ball 100. Sai Sudharsan's eighth first-class hundred will be a confidence booster for his new role at No. 3 in India’s Test squad.
After Sudharsan's departure, Rahul ensured India A maintained their momentum. His next century stand – a 115-run partnership with captain Dhruv Jurel – came more quickly, off just 113 balls. When Jurel departed for 56 off 66 balls (including five fours and three sixes), the hosts were in a solid position at 382-5.
Rahul hits 150 in India A's 412-run chase
Rahul made sure India did not relinquish their advantage, guiding the team to a five-wicket victory with an unbeaten 176 off 210 balls, which included 16 fours and four sixes. This was the first time in eight years that Rahul had scored over 150 in a first-class match, having last made 199 in a Test against England in 2016, which remains his highest Test score. This innings was his eighth first-class hundred.
2nd unofficial Test, India A vs Australia A
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The hosts' successful chase of 412 is the sixth-highest on Indian soil. The last time over 400 runs were chased in India was in 2016, when Rest of India chased 482 against Mumbai. The record remains West Zone's successful pursuit of 541 against South Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2009-10, also the highest successful run-chase in all first-class cricket.
