0
0
0
0
1
1
= 2
Match Details
AUS-A vs IND-A, 1st TEST, AUS-A vs IND-A 2026 summary
AUS-A 171
200-10(55.1)
India A won by 162 runs 🏆
334
IND-A
(57.4)199-10
+
P'ship : 0(0)
Commentary
All
Highlights
Overs
W
6s
4s
Inn 1
Inn 2
Inn 3
Inn 4
Milestone
For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Dev Rajawat who, along with scorer/analyst Sachin Yadav brought all the actions of the fourth day's play. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYE👋
Do join us for the 2nd Unofficial Test, which will also be played here in Puducherry, starting on 29th September, Tuesday.
India A needed eight wickets today, and they wrapped things up pretty quickly as Australia A collapsed under pressure. Australia A managed just one 50-plus partnership in the entire contest, which sums up their struggles with the bat. A dominant victory for India A here in Puducherry!
Devdutt Padikkal (India A Captain): (On his experience as captain) "Yeah, so far so good. I think when you're winning games, it's always a nice feeling, so hopefully I can continue that.
(On winning his first toss as captain) I wish I could do that in the Ranji Trophy final as well, but at the end of the day, the toss always matters a lot, especially on wickets like this. As you saw, it really started to deteriorate from the second day. So it was important that we won that toss, and we were lucky to do so.
(On India's recovery from 97 for 5) Yeah, definitely. I think Kushagra batted really well. It was a very important phase of the game, especially with winning the toss. It was important that we put a good score on the board. I think if we had collapsed from there, if we had gotten all out for 150-160, it would have been a much closer game. So it was really important, and I think that partnership from Kushagra and Tanush really changed the game for us.
(On the bowling performance) Yeah, they were really clear with their plans. I think we had spoken about being stump to stump, making sure our lines are really tight, and I think they executed those plans really, really well. You know, it's always easy to make those plans in the dressing room, but it's important that you go out there and do the job. And so I think they did that really well."
(On winning his first toss as captain) I wish I could do that in the Ranji Trophy final as well, but at the end of the day, the toss always matters a lot, especially on wickets like this. As you saw, it really started to deteriorate from the second day. So it was important that we won that toss, and we were lucky to do so.
(On India's recovery from 97 for 5) Yeah, definitely. I think Kushagra batted really well. It was a very important phase of the game, especially with winning the toss. It was important that we put a good score on the board. I think if we had collapsed from there, if we had gotten all out for 150-160, it would have been a much closer game. So it was really important, and I think that partnership from Kushagra and Tanush really changed the game for us.
(On the bowling performance) Yeah, they were really clear with their plans. I think we had spoken about being stump to stump, making sure our lines are really tight, and I think they executed those plans really, really well. You know, it's always easy to make those plans in the dressing room, but it's important that you go out there and do the job. And so I think they did that really well."
Kumar Kushagra (Player of the Match): "(On his innings) Yeah, it was a good innings of mine. When I went there, it was a tricky wicket. I thought of taking my innings deep. I played a good innings with Tanush Kotian.
(What has he done in his technique to get better in red ball cricket?) Nothing much. I was just more focusing on my fast bowling game. I was struggling against seam bowling. So, I had a chat with my coach and then started batting at Number 3 back home in Ranji Trophy. I am trying to play at the higher level.
(Change in approach while batting in the 2nd Innings) When I went out to bat there in the second innings, I thought that the ball was keeping a bit low. I decided to target the off spinners. Dev was batting with me at that time. We had a chat regarding that and it went really nice.
(Looking forward to carrying forward this form ahead?) Yes sir. I am feeling really nice and looking forward to the upcoming games."
(What has he done in his technique to get better in red ball cricket?) Nothing much. I was just more focusing on my fast bowling game. I was struggling against seam bowling. So, I had a chat with my coach and then started batting at Number 3 back home in Ranji Trophy. I am trying to play at the higher level.
(Change in approach while batting in the 2nd Innings) When I went out to bat there in the second innings, I thought that the ball was keeping a bit low. I decided to target the off spinners. Dev was batting with me at that time. We had a chat regarding that and it went really nice.
(Looking forward to carrying forward this form ahead?) Yes sir. I am feeling really nice and looking forward to the upcoming games."
Player of the Match: Kumar Kushagra
Peter Handscomb (Australia A Captain): (On the importance of winning the toss) "Yes, I think it was a big toss. You know, we saw the wicket deteriorate quite dramatically throughout the game. Not to say it didn't have some dents on day one, but it definitely got tougher as the game went on.
(On India recovering from 97 for 5) Well, thanks for reminding me. No, we were happy with that position, happy with our starts. We thought we bowled well and our plans were executed well, but I think credit also has to go to the Indian team as well. I think they batted beautifully, stuck to their plans, stuck to their process, and we toiled away and did what we could, but credit sometimes needs to go to the opposition. I think they played really well.
(On the change in bowling plans in the second innings) Just maybe a slight change, making sure we're probably a bit more consistent with our lines, and also the wicket helps us a little bit more. And I think India were looking to push the game forward a bit more as well. So, a few more shots, maybe we were a bit more consistent, and a bit of wicket help meant that we probably bowled a little bit better.
(On the positives from the game) Yeah, plenty of positives to come out of the game, I think. You know, coming here, we were trying to get as much information as we can and see what learnings we can take from each game. So no, can't credit the bowlers enough for how they just kept coming and coming and coming, even though we had to bowl a fair few overs. And then we found a way with the bat, or some guys found a way with the bat at times, and they had to be a bit more aggressive, but they stuck to their plans and their process.
(On his catch at gully) Yeah, I think you might have overestimated how far I actually went, but I'll take the 2.6 metres. But yeah, happy with that - bit of a reflex catch, but yeah, I would have preferred a win."
(On India recovering from 97 for 5) Well, thanks for reminding me. No, we were happy with that position, happy with our starts. We thought we bowled well and our plans were executed well, but I think credit also has to go to the Indian team as well. I think they batted beautifully, stuck to their plans, stuck to their process, and we toiled away and did what we could, but credit sometimes needs to go to the opposition. I think they played really well.
(On the change in bowling plans in the second innings) Just maybe a slight change, making sure we're probably a bit more consistent with our lines, and also the wicket helps us a little bit more. And I think India were looking to push the game forward a bit more as well. So, a few more shots, maybe we were a bit more consistent, and a bit of wicket help meant that we probably bowled a little bit better.
(On the positives from the game) Yeah, plenty of positives to come out of the game, I think. You know, coming here, we were trying to get as much information as we can and see what learnings we can take from each game. So no, can't credit the bowlers enough for how they just kept coming and coming and coming, even though we had to bowl a fair few overs. And then we found a way with the bat, or some guys found a way with the bat at times, and they had to be a bit more aggressive, but they stuck to their plans and their process.
(On his catch at gully) Yeah, I think you might have overestimated how far I actually went, but I'll take the 2.6 metres. But yeah, happy with that - bit of a reflex catch, but yeah, I would have preferred a win."
Time for the Post-Match Presentations...
12:35 PM IST & Local Time: That’s it! A commanding victory for India A here in Puducherry! They proved too hot to handle in these testing conditions as Australia A lose the first Unofficial Test by 162 runs. A comprehensive performance from India A!
India A opted to bat first but did not get off to the best of starts, losing three wickets in the opening session. Sai Sudharsan made a valuable 57 but failed to convert his half-century into a hundred, while Kumar Kushagra made sure he did, producing the only century of the contest with a fine 113. Tanush Kotian also played a crucial knock down the order, scoring 69 as India A were eventually bowled out for 334 on Day 2. Corey Rocchiccioli was the pick of the Australia A bowlers with figures of 4/95.
Commentary