India A remains the favourite to beat Australia A on the final day in Puducherry. India A got all out for 199 in their second innings after a collapse. Australia A reached 55/2 at the close, needing 308 more runs to win. Todd Murphy took four wickets for the visitors.
India A were all out 199 in their second innings despite being 93 for one at one stage. Off-spinner Todd Murphy was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors taking four wickets including Sai Sudharsan's.
The left-hander is eyeing a reserve opener's slot in the Indian team after being overtaken by Padikkal for the number three spot.
Australia A were 55/2 at the close, needing 308 more to win, and requiring to bat out an entire day to save the game. Opener Sudharsan (39, 85b, 3x4), who scored a fifty in the first innings, and fellow left-hander Padikkal (59, 88b, 7x4) put on 68 for the second wicket as India A built on a solid first-innings lead of 163.
Sudharsan fell lbw attempting to sweep Murphy just before lunch, the first of four victims for the impressive bespectacled off-spinner, who took three wickets in the first innings.
In-form Padikkal, who recorded his fourth 50-plus score in as many first-class matches, reached his fifty with successive fours off pacer Liam Scott. The skipper was the fifth wicket to fall, lbw to Scott, as the hosts collapsed, losing their last six wickets for 48 runs.