Srikar Bharat's ton puts India A in full command against Australia A

Andhra wicketkeeper-batsman Srikar Bharat registered a fantastic century on the 3rd day of the second Unofficial Test as India A cruised into a commanding position against Australia A. Kick-starting the day at 223/3, India A needed just a few runs to overhaul their opponents’ first innings tally and they did it in style.

The first wicket to fall on the day was of skipper Shreyas Iyer, who departed just before getting a fifty. Shubman Gill and keeper-batsman Srikar Bharat kept battling and helped their side get into the lead. Shubman Gill fought hard for his 50 off 76 balls, but fell immediately after getting to the mark.

Krishnappa Gowtham played a short-little cameo, only to be sabotaged by Brendan Doggett, who scalped him caught and bowled. Support came from an unlikely source for Bharat as Kuldeep Yadav, who travelled back to India after omission from the last two Tests in England, played a pretty handy knock with the willow.

Bharat and Kuldeep gift the hosts a 159-run lead

A 113-run stand between Bharat and Kuldeep stole a golden opportunity for the Aussies to take gain some control in the game. The balance eventually shifted to the other side and it seems highly unlikely for it to go back to the Australian dressing room.

Bharat registered a century, which included 12 fours and 1 six and is his first first-class ton in three years. The chinaman bowler got to a fifty and the duo got out in quick succession. The tail after that failed to stick around for a long period, but Rajneesh Gurbani’s 19-ball 16 helped the side go past the coveted 500-mark.

India A ended up scoring 505 runs in their first innings, gaining a 159-run first innings lead. Chris Tremain and Ashton Agar picked up 3 wickets each for the Kangaroos. Mitchell Marsh and his Aussie side were left in an abysmal situation in the game and they have a lot of catching up to do.

Australia A had to come and battle out the 14 tricky overs left out in the third day, which they didn’t deal with in a great way. Krishnappa Gowtham and Shahbaz Nadeem removed both the openers in double quick time, leaving the Aussies at 38/2 going into the final day. They still trail by 121 runs and Shreyas Iyer’s unit will firmly have their eyes on an innings victory.

Brief Scores:

Australia A: 346 all out in 109 overs

India A: 505 all out in 144 overs (Srikar Bharat 106, Abhimanyu Easwaran 86, Samarth Ravikumar 83; Chris Tremain 3/41)

Australia A: 38/2 in 14 overs

Australia trail by 121 runs

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