Rathod, Mulani Rescue India A to Secure Series Triumph Over Australia A

Australia A 358 (Harper 128, Sangha 46, Kamboj 3-34, Bhute 3-44) and 173 for 4 dec (Sangha 44*, Konstas 40, Kotian 2-55) vs India A 167 (Rasheed 42, Rocchiccioli 3-33, Richardson 3-37) and 310 for 9 (Rathod 80, Deshpande 52, Scott 5-37). Match drawn

Yash Rathod and Shams Mulani spearheaded a resolute rear-guard action against Australia A, guiding India A to a series-clinching 1-0 victory on Friday in Puducherry. The pair united in the second session and appeared immovable for much of the final session. Rathod, however, fell lbw for 80 with 6.4 overs remaining. He reviewed the decision, contending the ball was too high, but could only watch in disbelief as ball-tracking returned an Umpire’s Call verdict. Mulani then held firm alongside Nachiket Bhute until he too was trapped lbw by Liam Scott near the close of play.

Bhute and Praful Hinge negotiated the final three overs to secure the draw, with Bhute counter-attacking aggressively to blunt the visitors’ charge. Having won the first unofficial Test, India A needed only a stalemate to seal the series.

India A’s innings resumed with similar determination, as overnight batters Aayush Pandey and Tushar Deshpande frustrated Australia A for much of the opening hour. Just before the drinks break, a Liam Scott delivery skidded low to pin Pandey in front of middle and leg.

Deshpande remained composed, reaching his second first-class fifty alongside captain Devdutt Padikkal. The duo batted through the remainder of the first session, keeping India A afloat and even harbouring thoughts of an improbable victory chase at lunch.

The second session threatened to unravel the resistance. Padikkal departed first, edging a wide delivery from Scott to the wicketkeeper. Deshpande, having reached his half-century, was then undone by a ball that stopped sharply off the surface.

Kumar Kushagra, the batting hero of the first match, offered little resistance, though the dismissal was scarcely his fault—the delivery stayed so low it virtually rolled along the ground into the stumps.

Shaik Rasheed and Rathod then steadied the ship, with Rasheed refusing to retreat into a shell. He played several exquisite strokes through the leg side, racing to 38 before a misjudgement ended his vigil. He played back to a length ball from Nathan McSweeney and failed to bring his bat down in time.

Shams Mulani batted out 131 deliveries•PTI

Rathod, a veteran of clutch knocks for Vidarbha with a first-class average exceeding 55, played with proactive intent. He took calculated risks to keep the scoreboard ticking, his footwork pristine throughout. He alternated between advancing down the pitch to meet the ball and utilising the depth of the crease. His experience in crisis situations proved invaluable, even if he could not see his side across the finish line.

Mulani endured similar heartbreak. He remained calm and stoic, nullifying everything Australia A threw at him for the vast majority of his 131-ball vigil. Yet, like Rathod, he fell lbw to Scott late in the day.

Australia A can claim positives despite failing to bowl India A out. Scott was the standout bowler, claiming five wickets and showcasing his all-round credentials. His high release point and relentless stump-to-stump line troubled batters on a pitch offering variable bounce.

Corey Rocchiccioli and Todd Murphy maintained persistent pressure, with Murphy at one stage delivering nine consecutive overs without conceding a boundary. The remaining bowlers chipped in consistently, but India A’s grit ensured a series-clinching stalemate.

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