India A etched their name in the record books by pulling off a sensational chase of 412 against Australia A in the second unofficial Test in Lucknow. The memorable win was powered by brilliant centuries from KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan.
Australia A set the tone in the first innings with skipper Nathan McSweeney’s 74 and Jack Edwards’ 88 guiding them to 420, while Manav Suthar bagged a five-wicket haul. India A faltered in reply, managing just 194, with Sai Sudharsan fighting hard for his 75. McSweeney (85*) and Josh Philippe (50) then lifted Australia A to 185 in their second innings, leaving India A with a daunting 412-run chase. On the final day, KL Rahul (176*), Sudharsan (100), and Dhruv Jurel (56) rose to the occasion, steering India A to a historic win.
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While Sudharsan's fluid 100 contributed to the team's total, Rahul's undefeated 176 was the high point of India's innings. As India A surpassed Australia's target before Tea on Day 4, captain Dhruv Jurel also contributed with a fast-paced 56.
The victory not only secured the two-match series for India A, but it was also only the sixth time in First-Class cricket history that an over 400-run chase was successfully completed in India. It stands as the sixth-highest successful run chase in Indian First-Class cricket history.
West Zone's record-breaking performance in the 2010 Duleep Trophy final, when they chased down South Zone's target of 536 with three wickets remaining stands the highest.
South Zone's six-wicket triumph over England A (501 runs) in 2004 and Rest of India's four-wicket victory over Mumbai (480 runs) in 2016 are two more noteworthy chases.
But this is the highest successful chase by 'A' sides, bettering the 367-run chase by Australia A against Sri Lanka A at Hambantota in 2022.
The 365-run chase by West Indies A against England A at St John's in 2006, the 365-run chase by New Zealand A against Australia A at Lincoln in 2023 and the 340-run chase by India A against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in 2003 are the other notable run chases.
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In the fourth innings, Sai Sudharsan struck a composed 100 off 172 deliveries, hitting nine boundaries and a six. It marked his third consecutive 70-plus score and his eighth century in First-Class cricket, to go along with eight fifties. The Tamil Nadu batter has now amassed 2,345 runs in 34 matches at an average of over 38. Notably, he also made his Test debut earlier this year in Leeds Test against England.
Rahul’s match-winning knock was decorated with 16 fours and four sixes at a striking rate of 83.81. With scores of 11 and 176* in the game, he has now accumulated 8,217 First-Class runs in 111 matches at an average of over 43. This was his 22nd century in the format, to go along with 39 fifties. Of his overall tally, 3,789 runs have come in Test cricket at an average of 35.41.
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