India A mounted a resilient fightback on the opening day of the first unofficial Test against Australia A in Puducherry, reaching 257/5 at stumps despite an early middle-order collapse. After winning the toss and opting to bat, India A captain Devdutt Padikkal saw his side slide into early trouble on Day 1.
The home team lost early wickets as paceman Fergus O’Neill trapped opener Aman Mokhade lbw for six in the sixth over, while spinner Todd Murphy dismissed Padikkal for just three. With India A struggling at 20/2, opener Sai Sudharsan stabilized the innings with a patient 57 off 103 deliveries. However, off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli triggered a middle-order slump, removing Shaik Rasheed for 16, Yash Rathod for 1, and taking a caught-and-bowled to remove Sudharsan, slumping the hosts to 97/5.
A vital 138-run partnership for the sixth wicket turned the game around for India A. Wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra scored a gritty 82 before retiring hurt due to a pulled muscle, while all-rounder Tanush Kotian provided solid support, remaining unbeaten on 68.
Following Kushagra’s departure, Kotian joined forces with Shams Mulani to navigate the remainder of the day without further losses. Rocchiccioli stood out as Australia A’s top bowler with figures of 3/72 as India A closed out the day on 257/5. The report also notes that hitting 68 not out and a crucial 138-run stand with Kushagra, kotian provided ample support.
