Australia A have wrapped up the one-day series against India A with a game to spare. In the second unofficial ODI at the Cricket Association Puducherry Siechem Stadium on Friday, October 9, half-centuries from Sam Konstas and Josh Philippe set up a total of 275, and left-arm quick Spencer Johnson then ripped through India A's batting to seal a 69-run win and a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
It was another tough day for an India A side packed with IPL and fringe international names. For the second match running, they lost three early wickets chasing a big total and never recovered.
How Australia A built 275
Konstas, the young opener who has already played Test cricket for Australia, played the anchor role with 67 off 88 balls. Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Philippe was more aggressive, hitting 58 from 58 balls, and the pair added 101 for the second wicket to put Australia A on 168 for 3 after 30 overs.
India A pulled things back in the middle overs. Left-arm seamer Arshad Khan was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 56, including the key wicket of Konstas, while Yash Thakur took 2 for 46. Nathan McSweeney made 32 before being run out, and a quick 25 off 13 balls from Mitchell Owen plus a late 14 not out from No. 11 Spencer Johnson pushed Australia A to 275 all out in 49.5 overs.
India A's chase falls apart
Chasing 276, India A were 30 for 3 inside nine overs. Sai Sudharsan (13), captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (12) and Devdutt Padikkal (1) all fell cheaply, with Johnson accounting for Padikkal.
Rajat Patidar tried to rebuild, and a 51-run stand with Nishant Sindhu for the fifth wicket offered some hope. Patidar top-scored with a fluent 67 off 82 balls, but when he fell to Johnson in the 33rd over with the score on 134 for 6, the match was effectively over. Anukul Roy fought hard for an unbeaten 34, but India A were bowled out for 206 in 45.2 overs.
Johnson finished with 3 for 35 in eight overs, with Riley Meredith and leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha picking up two wickets each.
Scorecard summary
| Match | 2nd unofficial ODI, India A vs Australia A |
| Venue | CAP Siechem Stadium, Puducherry |
| Date | Friday, October 9, 2026 |
| Australia A | 275 all out (49.5 overs) – Konstas 67, Philippe 58; Arshad Khan 3/56 |
| India A | 206 all out (45.2 overs) – Patidar 67, Anukul Roy 34*; Spencer Johnson 3/35 |
| Result | Australia A won by 69 runs |
| Series | Australia A lead 2-0 (series won) |
A worrying pattern for India A
The first match, played at the same venue on October 6, followed a similar script. Australia A won that one by 125 runs, bowling India A out for 149. Over both games, India A's top order has struggled against pace and bounce with the new ball, and only Patidar has looked consistently comfortable.
The results matter beyond the scoreline. A tours are where selectors check bench strength, and with India's senior team busy with the West Indies T20I series, several batters in this squad were auditioning for white-ball spots. Gaikwad, Padikkal and Sudharsan will want runs in the final game. It has not all been bad news on the tour, though: India A had earlier won the four-day series 1-0.
What it means for Indian cricket
For Indian fans, the takeaway is that Australia A have been sharper in the key moments of both games. Players like Konstas, McSweeney and Johnson are all close to Australia's senior side, and their success here on Indian pitches is a reminder of how well-prepared the next wave of Australian cricketers is for subcontinent conditions.
What happens next
- 3rd unofficial ODI: Sunday, October 11, at the same Puducherry ground, scheduled for 9:30 am IST.
- With the series gone, India A will be playing to avoid a 3-0 whitewash, and could hand chances to squad players who have not featured yet.
- Meanwhile, India's senior side takes on the West Indies in the third T20I in Indore with the series level.
Comments (0)