India A recovered from a batting collapse to close the first day of their four-day fixture against Australia A on 257 for 5, with a comeback half-century from Sai Sudharsan and twin fifties from the middle order steadying an innings that was in real trouble inside the first session. The match, the first of two unofficial Tests between the sides, is being played at the Cricket Association Puducherry Siechem Ground from September 22-25.
Captain Devdutt Padikkal won the toss and chose to bat, but Australia A's new-ball attack made early inroads. Fergus O'Neill had Aman Mokhade lbw for a single-digit score inside the first six overs, and Todd Murphy accounted for Padikkal himself, caught at first slip by Jason Sangha. India A slipped to 97 for 5 by the 35th over, with Australia A's spinners squeezing the innings from both ends.
Sai Sudharsan, playing his first competitive match since returning from injury, top-scored with 57 off 103 balls, opening the door for a recovery that the middle order completed. Wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra brought up his own half-century off 103 balls, and all-rounder Tanush Kotian followed with a fifty of his own in the 71st over, the pair grinding through Australia A's spin attack to take India A from a precarious position to a total the bowlers can work with on Day Two.
Unofficial Tests against touring A sides carry more weight than the "unofficial" tag suggests — they're a direct selection audition, and Sudharsan's return to form after injury, along with Kushagra and Kotian pushing their case with the bat, will all be tracked closely by India's senior selectors. Australia A, led by Peter Handscomb, are using the same fixture to assess players on the fringes of their own Test squad.
Day Two picks up with India A still batting and looking to push the total well past 300 before turning the innings over to their bowling attack. The four-day match runs through September 25, with a second unofficial Test to follow later in the Australia A tour.
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Scorecard figures are verified against same-day match reporting, current as of September 22, 2026.
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