Lucknow: Lucknow witnessed an engaging Day 2 of the first unofficial Test between India A and Australia A at the Ekana Stadium, with the home side showing grit in reply to a commanding first innings from the visitors. Australia A, who declared on 532/6 in 98 overs, had already announced their batting credentials with Sam Konstas’s century on Day 1. Day 2 saw the spotlight shift to Josh Phillippe, who continued Australia’s dominance by carving out an unbeaten 123 off 87 balls, peppered with 18 fours and 4 sixes, before the declaration.
India A began their innings cautiously but confidently, with Narayan Jagadeesan and Abhimanyu Easwaran taking guard on a pitch that offered true bounce and minimal movement. Within the first nine overs, the openers were already in command, dispatching six boundaries and hinting at a long, steady innings ahead. Their 50-run opening stand demonstrated positive intent, as they rotated strike and probed gaps with disciplined shot selection.
Jagadeesan, in particular, looked assured, playing crisp drives and deftly managing the strike. Easwaran complemented him well, but the partnership was broken in the 30th over, when Easwaran, after a proactive innings of 44, chopped an inside edge onto his stumps, gifting Liam Scott the breakthrough. Despite the early hiccup, India A were on 116/1, with Jagadeesan unbeaten on a well-crafted 50 from 95 balls and Sai Sudharsan waiting to join the fray on 20.
For India A, spinner Harsh Dubey had earlier led the bowling effort against Australia, picking up 3/141 in 27 overs, while pacer Gurnoor Brar claimed 2/87. Their disciplined spells ensured that Australia A’s tail did not run away with the scoreboard, even as Phillippe and Bartlett added quick runs in the final session before the declaration.
The day was punctuated by brief interruptions from clouds and occasional drizzle, but the players negotiated conditions adeptly. The pitch played true, offering a balance between bat and ball, and allowed for meaningful contests without overly favouring either side.
Jagadeesan’s composed innings has already made waves among selectors, putting him in contention for a Test call-up in the upcoming West Indies series. His ability to anchor the innings while simultaneously supporting attacking partners sets a template for India A’s approach in challenging conditions.
As the second day concluded, India A had laid the foundation for a potential counter-punch against Australia A’s mammoth total. With a solid start and a clear understanding of the pitch, the home side can look forward to building partnerships and gradually reducing the deficit on Day 3, keeping the contest tantalizingly open.
In a game defined by centuries, disciplined bowling, and patient batting, Day 2 showcased the depth of talent in both squads, promising a gripping finish to the first unofficial Test.
