IND A vs AUS A, 2nd unofficial ODI: Top-order collapse costs India A as Australia A seals series with a game to spare
Australia A beat India A by 69 runs in the second match. (Photo credit: X) India A’s top-order woes continued to haunt them as Australia A registered a 69-run victory in the second one-dayer on Friday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.Josh Philippe and Sam Konstas hit aggressive half-centuries to lay the foundation for Australia A’s total of 275 before pacer Spencer Johnson dismantled India A’s batting effort with three crucial wickets. Despite Rajat Patidar’s fighting 67, the hosts were bowled out for 206 in 45.2 overs.The defeat will be particularly disappointing for India A after yet another collective failure from top-class batsmen Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan and Ruturaj Gaikwad who once again failed to provide a solid start. Their early dismissal left the hosts struggling at 30 for three in the ninth over as they chased a target that was within reach.
Philippe, Konstas laid the foundations
After being put under pressure at regular intervals, Australia A finished with 275 all out in 49.5 overs, with Philippe and Konstas providing the backbone of the innings through a 101-run partnership for the second wicket.Philippe, who fell cheaply in the opening match, made amends with a pace of 58 off 58 balls. The 29-year-old looked fluent against the spinners and steered Nishant Sindhu to consecutive boundaries, including a delightful inside-out shot over extra cover.He brought up his half-century from 53 deliveries by pulling pacemaker Yash Thakur for four.At the other end, Konstas played a fairly measured knock and reached his fifty off 69 balls after dismissing Arshad Khan for an early six. The Australian opener ended up scoring 67 off 88 deliveries, giving his side a strong platform.However, India A managed to prevent the partnership from being further damaged, with Philippe falling to Sindhu and Konstas being dismissed by Arshad. From 168 for three in 30 overs, Australia A added 107 runs in the last 20 overs while losing their remaining seven wickets.Arshad was the pick of the Indian bowlers, finishing with three wickets for 56 runs.
Collapse of the top order, the Patidar has too much work to do
India A’s chase unraveled almost immediately as Padikkal departed for one, Gaikwad managed just 12 and Sudharsan was dismissed for 13. Their failures left the hosts in deep trouble before the innings settled down.With an inexperienced line-up that followed, the onus fell on Patidar to keep the chase alive. The middle-order batsman responded with a determined 67 off 81 balls but found little sustained support from his partners.India A’s biggest innings partnership was the 51-run fifth wicket stand between Patidar and Sindhu. Sindhu’s contribution helped the hosts recover briefly, but Australia A continued to strike at crucial moments.Johnson proved particularly effective as he removed Padikkal, Suryansh Shedge and, crucially, Patidar. Once the latter departed, India A’s hopes of a comeback were dashed and the hosts were eventually bowled out for 206 in 45.2 overs.Anukul Roy remained unbeaten on 34 but his effort came too late to change the result.The 69-run win clinched the series for Australia A with one match to play, while India A will need a much better performance from their top order to avoid a clean sweep.
- Brief scores: Australia A 275 all out in 49.5 overs (Josh Philippe 58, Sam Konstas 67; Arshad Khan 3/56) beat India A 206 all out in 45.2 overs (Rajat Patidar 67, Anukul Roy 34 not out; Spencer Johnson runs 3/35)