India A stared down a brutal loss on Friday, but somehow, some way, they clawed their way to an insane draw against Australia A in Puducherry. Seriously, it came down to the absolute wire, and that draw officially sealed a 1-0 series win for India A in the two-match series. It was pure drama, folks, the kind of nail-biter you replay in your head all weekend.
The Unbreakable Stand That Kept Them Alive
Chasing a massive 365 runs for the win, India A started the fourth day at 28/1. Things looked dicey early, but night watchman Tushar Deshpande put in a heroic shift. He smashed 52 runs off 119 balls, really digging in when it mattered. Deshpande then hooked up with captain Devdutt Padikkal for a crucial 60-run stand for the third wicket, with Padikkal adding 26 runs himself. They held things together, reaching 99/2 by lunch, even after losing overnight batter Aayush Pandey for 19. That morning session added 71 runs and gave everyone a flicker of hope.
But then the wheels almost fell off in the second session. India A lost five huge wickets and tumbled to 205/7 by tea. Padikkal edged behind off Liam Scott, caught by Josh Philippe, and Deshpande mistimed a drive against fast-medium bowler Liam Hatcher and was caught at mid-off. That’s when Yash Rathod and Shams Mulani stepped up, big time. These guys put on an 80-run partnership for the eighth wicket that lasted over 36 overs. Rathod batted for 138 balls for his 80 runs, and Mulani fought for 131 balls to get his 29. They even faced 16 overs of the second new ball, keeping Australia A from absolutely running away with it. Without that partnership, it would have been over way earlier.
Liam Scott Blew It Open, Then The Final Three Overs Happened
Just when it looked like Rathod and Mulani might actually bat through, Australia A pacer Liam Scott, who finished with an incredible 5/37, struck. With seven overs left in the day, Scott dismissed Rathod leg before wicket. Two overs later, he got Mulani too, leaving India A in an almost impossible spot: 310/9 with only three overs left in the entire match. We’re talking about the last-wicket pair, Nachiket Bhute and Praful Hinge, having to survive for the draw. Bhute was on 20, Hinge was on 0. It was pure tension. Every single delivery was an event. Every dot ball was a tiny victory.
And you know what? They did it. Bhute, still unbeaten on 20, and Hinge, still on 0, somehow managed to see out those final three overs. The final score: 310/9 at stumps, securing one of the most thrilling draws you’ll ever see.
What a finish! India A had already taken the opening game by 162 runs, making this draw enough to lock up the series 1-0. Shams Mulani was rightfully named Player of the Series for his incredible efforts, and Sam Harper was Player of the Match for Australia A. Honestly, every single player who battled out there for India A deserves a shoutout after that clutch performance. What a series!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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