On Day 2 of the unofficial Test in Mackay, India A established a commanding 120-run lead over Australia A, thanks to a stellar 178-run partnership between Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal. By the end of the day, India A had reached 208 for 2, with Sudharsan not out on 96 and Padikkal contributing 80 runs.
Earlier in the match, Mukesh Kumar’s remarkable bowling performance played a crucial role in dismantling the Australian innings, which ended at 195 runs. Mukesh claimed 6 wickets for 46 runs in 18.5 overs, while Prasidh Krishna supported him with 3 wickets, and Nitish Kumar Reddy chipped in with one. Australia A began the day at 99 for 4 and quickly surpassed India’s first-innings total of 107.
Mukesh struck first by dismissing Cooper Connolly for 37 runs, then followed up by taking out Joshua Phillippe, leaving the hosts struggling at 134 for 6. Nitish added to the pressure by claiming the wicket of McSweeney shortly after.
Australia A managed to form a partnership between Fergus O’Neill and Todd Murphy, providing some lower-order resistance until Prasidh ended O’Neill’s innings. Mukesh returned to finish off the tail, taking Murphy’s wicket for 33 runs, thereby concluding Australia A’s innings.
India A’s second innings did not start well, as captain Ruturaj Gaikwad fell early for just 5 runs, having previously been dismissed for a duck in the first innings. India faced further difficulties when Abhimanyu Easwaran was run out, leaving the team at 30 for 2.
However, Sudharsan and Padikkal steadied the ship, ensuring India ended the day on a strong note. Sudharsan reached his 96 runs off 185 balls, including 9 fours, while Padikkal scored 80 from 167 balls with 5 boundaries.
