India A shot out for 107 as Australia A pacers reign supreme

India A v Australia A. (Photo Source: X/cricket.com.au)

The Australia A pacers dismantled India A on Day 1 of the first unofficial Test at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, Queensland after Nathan McSweeney won the toss and opted to bowl first on Thursday, October 31.

Indian batters have struggled against swing and seam in recent years and the shortcomings once again came back to haunt them as nine out of the 10 wickets fell to the pacers. Wicketkeeper Josh Philippe took five catches, reflecting the pattern of dismissals.

India A skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who showed fantastic form in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25, departed for a golden duck in the second over of the day as Jordan Buckingham set the tone for the hosts. The right-arm seamer went on to dismiss Abhimanyu Easwaran, who is also a part of India’s squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The former Bengal captain was dismissed for seven after facing 30 balls.

Sai Sudharsan batted at No. 3 and he started to look good before Brendan Doggett sent him packing. Devdutt Padikkal was the top-scorer for India A as he scored a 77-ball 36. The southpaw added 39 runs for the fourth wicket with Baba Indrajith (9). Ishan Kishan (4), Nitish Kumar Reddy (0), Manav Suthar (1), and Prasidh Krishna (0) departing in quick succession as Doggett bagged a six-for.

Navdeep Saini played his shots and scored 23 off 43 balls to take India A to the three-figure mark. The Delhi pacer added 21 runs for the last wicket with Mukesh Kumar before the tourists were bowled out for 107.

Doggett conceded just 15 runs in his 11 overs and accounted for six India A wickets. He also bowled six maidens to put the opposition batters under all sorts of pressure. Buckingham failed to add to the two wickets he picked up with the new ball. Meanwhile, Fergus O’Neill and Todd Murphy chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Sam Konstas departs for a duck

Sam Konstas, who is one of the contenders for Australia’s vacant opening spot in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, opened the batting for Australia A. However, he was dismissed for a duck in the first over by Mukesh Kumar.

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Prasidh Krishna, who is among the 18 players picked in India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad, bagged the wicket of Cameron Bancroft, another contender for the opening role in the senior national team. At Tea break on Day 1, Australia A were 15/2 in seven overs.