Mackay, Australia

India's reserve player for Australia Tests, seamer Mukesh Kumar, picked six wickets in the first innings against Australia-A, and batters Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal remained unbeaten on 96 and 80, respectively, in the second innings to script India-A’s comeback in the first unofficial Test in Mackay. 

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On the other hand, the BGT-bound India batter Abhimanyu Easwaran failed to leave any mark even across two innings as he departed on just 12, five more than his first-inning total in the lead-up to the marquee series Down Under.

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After getting all out on a mere 107 in the first innings, with most players failing to score, barring Padikkal (36) and Sudharsan (21), India-A dismissed Australia-A on 195 in theirs. 

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Australia’s Test hopefuls Sam Konstas (0), Marcus Harris (17) and Cameron Bancroft (0) all departed early, with handy contributions coming from the middle order.

Seamer Mukesh returned with six wickets for India-A, accounting for Konstas, captain Nathan McSweeney (39) and Beau Webster (33) among the batters. Prasidh Krishna picked three wickets, while another member of India’s Test squad for Australia, Nitish Kumar Reddy, bagged one. 

Sai, Padikkal save India-A's ship

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The second innings began similarly for the India-A, with openers departing inside the first ten overs. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad got out chasing an outswinger on five, while Jordan Buckingham affected Easwaran’s run-out on 12. 

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The left-handed pair of Sai and Padikkal saved India’s sinking ship with a remarkable comeback. They took their time before opening their arms during the final two sessions. Both looked composed at the crease, playing through the line without being beaten enough. Their 178-run partnership thus far reminded everyone of how everyone should bat in these conditions, where the ball is bound to do enough any time of the day. 

While Padikkal scored just five fours in 167 balls faced on day two, Sai hit four more in his 96* run-knock. 

With two days remaining in this unofficial Test and India leading by 120 runs and eight wickets remaining, the travelling side has their nose in the front.

(With inputs from agencies)