India A 334 (Kushagra 113, Kotian 69, Rocchiccioli 4-95, Murphy 3-77) and 199 (Padikkal 59, Kushagra 46*, Murphy 4-48, Doggett 2-21) beat Australia A 171 (Sangha 46, Mulani 4-67, Kotian 2-31, Deshpande 2-32) and 200 (O’Neill 47, Deshpande 3-14, Mulani 3-57, Kamboj 2-25) by 162 runs
Australia A started day four on their overnight score of 55 for 2, and their pursuit of the target of 363 couldn’t have begun on a more sombre note as Anshul Kamboj struck twice early. Nathan McSweeney, whose most recent Test appearance was in 2024-25, was out to a lifter that he gloved to gully. Two overs later, Peter Handscomb, the only batter from the touring party with Test experience in India, was bowled by a delivery that scooted low from a similar length.
Desphande was sharp, largely accurate, and kept threatening for lbw dismissals with his late movement, and was easily the best fast bowler on view through the game. He finished the second innings with 3 for 14, before the ball was tossed to the spinners.
Jason Sangha was lucky to survive a missed stumping on 11, and in the same over, wasn’t given out lbw with India failing to review a decision that would’ve gone in their favour. With wickets falling around him, he kept taking chances before an attempt to play a slog sweep off Tanush Kotian left him bowled for a 23-ball 26.
Then there was brief partnership, which at no stage really threatened the hosts, before Mulani picked up the last three wickets after lunch to close out the match. O’Neill was out slogging to deep midwicket, Murphy was out to a sharp catch at leg gully by B Sai Sudharsan, and Brendan Doggett was taken superbly at long-off by Shaikh Rasheed diving forward.
The capitulation was complete, with Australia A now having three days before they look to bounce back in the second unofficial Test at the same venue.
