The India A cricket team faced a comprehensive nine-wicket defeat at the hands of Australia A in the second List A encounter on Friday. The match, heavily impacted by rain, saw a valiant 94 from batter Tilak Varma go in vain. The game was also marked by the personal sacrifice of all-rounder Abhishek Sharma, who chose national duty over attending his sister's wedding to be part of the squad.
Rain Alters Chase After India A Post 246
Batting first, India A managed to put up a total of 246 runs on the board. Their innings got off to a disastrous start, slumping to 17 for 3 early on, which included the cheap dismissal of Shreyas Iyer for just eight runs. The recovery was orchestrated by Tilak Varma, who played a gritty knock of 94 runs off 122 balls, hitting five fours and four sixes. He built a crucial 101-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Riyan Parag, who contributed a brisk 58. Useful lower-order runs from Ravi Bishnoi and Arshdeep Singh helped India A reach a modest but competitive total.
Australian Openers Make Light Work of Revised Target
Australia A's chase was interrupted by a three-hour rain delay. At the time of the stoppage, they were 48 for no loss in their pursuit. Upon resumption, the target was revised to 160 runs from 25 overs as per the Duckworth-Lewis method. The Australian batters launched an all-out attack on the Indian bowling. Openers McKenzie Harvey, who remained not out on 70 from 49 balls, and Cooper Connolly, who smashed 50 off just 31 deliveries, sealed the victory in a mere 16.4 overs. The duo collectively hammered 22 fours and six sixes, with Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh proving expensive, conceding 44 runs in his four overs.
Sacrifice and Series Poised for Decider
The match highlighted contrasting stories for two young Indian players. While Abhishek Sharma's commitment was evident from his decision to skip a family event, his on-field contribution was minimal as he was dismissed for a duck. On the other hand, Tilak Varma's fluent innings strengthened his case for future selection in India's 50-over plans. For Australia, Jack Edwards was the standout bowler, finishing with four wickets. The convincing defeat levels the three-match series at 1-1, setting the stage for a thrilling final showdown on Sunday. The decider will not only determine the series winner but also put the spotlight on how India A bounces back from this heavy loss.
