India A vs Australia A live streaming, 2nd Unofficial Test live telecast© BCCI

Seasoned batter K.L. Rahul and wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel have been added to the India A squad for the second four-day game against Australia A, starting at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday. IANS had reported on Monday that Rahul and Jurel would link up with the India A team after leaving for Melbourne following the third Test against New Zealand, which the Rohit Sharma-led side lost by 25 runs to suffer a historic 3-0 defeat.

Sources had also said that the decision to send Rahul and Jurel to play for India A team was made with an eye to give the duo some game time ahead of the all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, starting in Perth on November 22. It is also believed that Rahul might open alongside Abhimanyu Easwaran, as the Indian team would be keen to see who would be the best person to partner Yashasvi Jaiswal in the Perth Test.

The vacancy at the top comes especially after captain Rohit Sharma said at the end of the Mumbai Test that he could be unavailable for the series opener at Perth due to personal reasons.

While Easwaran has slammed 27 centuries in 100 first-class matches, with an average of 49.40, Rahul has recently batted mainly in the middle-order but comes in with the fact that he’s scored Test centuries in England, South Africa, and Australia, the country where he made his Test debut in 2014.

Rahul played three Tests in the Indian home season, with his last game coming via the hosts’ series opener against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. After making scores of 0 and 12 in that game, where India lost by eight wickets, he didn’t feature in the remainder of the series.

On the other hand, Jurel could be taking up wicketkeeping duties from Ishan Kishan, who is leading India A. Jurel didn’t get a game to play in the five Tests India played at home, though he did get to feature as a substitute wicketkeeper in the first Test at Bengaluru after Rishabh Pant hurt his knee.

Previously, Prasidh Krishna was added to the India A squad as a replacement for Yash Dayal, who was named in India’s T20I squad for the four-match tour of South Africa, starting on November 8 in Durban.

The first four-day game saw India A, captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad, suffer a heavy seven-wicket defeat at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, Queensland, with left-handed batters B. Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal along with pacer Mukesh Kumar being the standout performers.

India A squad for 2nd first-class game: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Abhimanyu Easwaran (vc), Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Devdutt Padikkal, Ricky Bhui, Baba Indrajith, Ishan Kishan (wk), Abishek Porel (wk), Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Navdeep Saini, Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Prasidh Krishna, KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel (wk)

Legendary Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar has lamented the decision taken by Team India to cancel a scheduled practice match in Australia between the senior team and India A. In fact, India’s senior team are not scheduled to play a single warm-up game in Australia before they set off on a five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Following India’s poor batting display in the recently-concluded home series against New Zealand, Gavaskar has called for common sense to prevail, and for some warm-up matches to be put in place for the India players.

In the spin-friendly conditions in India, the batters struggled against New Zealand, crossing a total of 300 just once in the entire Test series. With Australia posing a completely different challenge, in the form of fast, bouncy pitches, Gavaskar believes that warm-up games are a must.

In particular, out-of-form batters like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, and new inductees into the side like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan, could benefit from it.

“Australia can be salvaged because the pitches there are beautiful to bat on after the first dozen overs or so, after which the ball hardly deviates off the surface. To do that, though, the team needs to play a bit more on those kinds of pitches. Instead, we are now told that the warm-up game before the first Test has been called off. Wouldn’t it benefit youngsters like (Yashasvi) Jaiswal and Sarfaraz (Khan), who are playing on Australian pitches for the first time, to get some runs under their belt and get a feel of what the pitches will be like?” wrote Gavaskar, in his column for Sportstar.

“And if they get out early, they can still get into the nets and practice against the throwdown specialist or the net bowlers. For bowlers like Akash Deep and Harshit Rana too, it’s essential to know the best length to bowl in Australia, as it’s different from India, and the best learning is in a proper match and not just net practice,” Gavaskar added.

Eight players in India’s squad for the first Test against Australia — Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Reddy, Harshit Rana, Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna — have never played a senior Test match in Australia.

“Let’s just hope that good sense prevails, and even now, though it’s too late, some warm-up games can be arranged, even if it’s against the State A teams like Queensland A and Victoria A. These warm-up games will give the first-timers to Australia and youngsters good practice and a better chance to succeed,” Gavaskar added.

Abhimanyu Easwaran was done in by swing while all-rounder Nitish Reddy perished due to extra bounce as India A batters’ inept technique was exposed during their shoddy effort of 107 all out on the opening day of the first ‘Unofficial Test’ against Australia A in Mackay Thursday. Seamer Brendan Doggett produced disconcerting bounce from length to run away with career-best first-class figures of 6 for 15 in 11 overs with only three Indian batters recording scores in double digits. The struggles of the Indians on a pitch offering bounce and seam movement was evident as keeper Josh Phillipe held on to five catches.

At stumps, Australia A were 99 for 4 with Mukesh Kumar (2/30 in 11 overs) and Prasidh Krishna (2/18 in 11 overs) picking up a couple of wickets each. India A bowlers will look to keep the first innings lead under 100 and then aim at putting up an improved show in the second innings.

The focus on the day was on Easwaran and Reddy, the two members of the senior squad which will take on Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from November 22 in Perth.

After CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was brilliantly caught down the leg side off Jordan Buckingham, the right arm seamer bowled one slightly back of the length but it shaped away enough to draw Easwaran (7 off 30 balls) forward and nick one to the keeper.

Easwaran, who had racked up four first-class tons on trot to be selected in the senior team as a cover for skipper Rohit Sharma, has always struggled on tracks with a bit of spice in them. He has never been comfortable when there has been extra bounce and bit more seam movement in some pitches.

Most of the Indian batters struggled while adjusting to the bounce which was a good feet and half more than what they are used to in India which is just above knee roll.

Ishan Kishan failed to factor in extra bounce that Dogget extracted as he went for a slash to get caught.

Reddy, a forced choice as a seam bowling all-rounder, was pulling deliveries at the Feroz Shah Kotla with gay abandon against Bangladesh, but he didn’t expect that same kind of back of the length delivery would be aimed at his chin as he couldn’t control the pull-shot.

Even when he bowled five overs for just five runs, he wasn’t spectacular but just about steady which could make him a sixth bowling option if selected for Tests but certainly not among the first five bowlers like a Hardik Pandya.

Sai Sudharsan (21) and Devdutt Padikkal (36) were the two players who showed some promise but both fell prey to extra bounce when they tried to drive length balls.

When Australia batted, all their three Test opening slot contenders — Sam Konstas (0), Cameron Bancroft (0) and Marcus Harris (17) — were out cheaply.

Bancroft will consider himself a trifle unlucky as Prasidh’s delivery had brushed his thigh pads into Ishan Kishan’s hands.

Brief Scores: India A 1st Innings 107 all out in 47.4 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 36, Brendan Doggett 6/15). Australia A 1st Innings 99 for 4 in 39 overs (Nathan McSweeney 29 batting, Prasidh Krishna 2/19).

India A vs Australia A, 1st Unofficial Test LIVE Streaming: India A will be squaring off against Australia A in the first Unofficial Test of the two-match series, starting from Thursday in Mackay, Australia. The outings of Abhimanyu Easwaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Prasidh Krishna will be the primary focal points of India A’s four-day match. Easwaran, Nitish and Pradish have been included in India’s squad for the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, beginning on November 22, and the thinktank will be eager to know how they fare in Australian conditions.

Other than this aforementioned troika, the likes of skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, top-order batter B Sai Sudharsan, pacers Yash Dayal and Navdeep Saini and middle-order batter Devdutt Padikkal can look forward to churn out some good efforts to keep themselves on the periphery of selection in case of an eventuality in the senior side. Ishan Kishan, the wicketkeeper batter, too will be eager to make the most of this chance after a finding his favour back with the powers that be.

When will the India A vs Australia A, 1st Unofficial Test match begin?

The India A vs Australia A, 1st Unofficial Test match will begin on Thursday, October 31.

Where will the India A vs Australia A, 1st Unofficial Test match be held?

The India A vs Australia A, 1st Unofficial Test match will be held at the Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay.

What time will the India A vs Australia A, 1st Unofficial Test match start?

The India A vs Australia A, 1st Unofficial Test match will start at 5:30 AM IST. The toss will take place at 5:00 AM.

Which TV channels will live telecast the India A vs Australia A, 1st Unofficial Test match?

The India A vs Australia A, 1st Unofficial Test match will not be telecast live in India

Where to follow the live streaming of the India A vs Australia A, 1st Unofficial Test match?

The India A vs Australia A, 1st Unofficial Test match will be streamed live on the Cricket.com.au app and website.

(All details are as per information provided by the broadcaster)

(With PTI Inputs)

The outings of Abhimanyu Easwaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Prasidh Krishna will be the primary focal points of India A’s four-day match against their Australian counterparts, starting on Thursday. Easwaran, Nitish and Pradish have been included in India’s squad for the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, beginning on November 22, and the thinktank will be eager to know how they fare in Australian conditions. Easwaran’s performance will, however, have far more significance as the 29-year-old opener could potentially Rohit Sharma’s replacement if the captain skips a match or two against Australia for personal reasons.

Easwaran, who is also the vice-captain of India A here, is a vastly experienced campaigner having played 99 First-Class matches to score 7638 runs with 27 hundreds and 29 fifties.

He has also been part of the India squad in the past but what inspires confidence is his recent form in First-Class matches.

The right-hander struck 157 and 116 for India B in the Duleep Trophy before making a 191 against Mumbai for Rest of India in the Irani Trophy and made another hundred in his final red-ball game before flying out to Australia – an unbeaten 127 against Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy.

So, he has the body of work to feel in fine fettle ahead of the match against Australia A, though the conditions here will be vastly different from what he has experienced so far this season in India.

On the other hand, Nitish does not boast of such impressive First-Class numbers, as he has been drafted into squad for his perceived ability as a pace-bowling all-rounder and, even in that, batting is his stronger suit.

In the Duleep Trophy earlier this year, Nitish made two ducks with a highest of 40 in five matches while grabbing just two wickets.

But the selectors have backed him ahead of senior names such as Shardul Thakur, who has resumed playing domestic matches after recovering from an injury.

So, this will be a good opportunity for the selectors to check how the Andhra man measures up to a very capable Australia A side that includes the likes of Camreon Bancroft, Marcus Harris, Michael Neser, Cooper Connolly and Scott Boland.

Prasidh is a late addition to the India A squad in place of initially picked up Yash Dayal, and the Karnataka pacer needs to find some rhythm here.

Since his return from injury, Prasidh has picked up just seven wickets in as many innings across Duleep Trophy, Irani Cup and Ranji Trophy.

But the selectors seemed to have been influenced by the theoretical advantage his height brings in on the Australian decks.

Prasidh can use this opportunity to keep himself ready if he gets a call-up to the first eleven as the third seamer behind Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj or if the management wants to rest one of the frontline pacers as part of workload management during the tour.

Other than this aforementioned troika, the likes of skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, top-order batter B Sai Sudharsan, pacers Yash Dayal and Navdeep Saini and middle-order batter Devdutt Padikkal can look forward to churn out some good efforts to keep themselves on the periphery of selection in case of an eventuality in the senior side.

Ishan Kishan, the wicketkeeper batter, too will be eager to make the most of this chance after a finding his favour back with the powers that be.

India A: Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Abhimanyu Easwaran (vice-capt), Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, B Indrajith, Abishek Porel (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Mukesh Kumar, Ricky Bhui, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Manav Suthar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed, Tanush Kotian, Prasidh Krishna.

Australia A: Nathan McSweeney (c), Cameron Bancroft, Scott Boland, Jordan Buckingham, Cooper Connolly, Ollie Davies, Brendan Doggett, Marcus Harris, Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, Michael Neser, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Jimmy Peirson, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Beau Webster.

File image of BCCI logo.© BCCI

Abhimanyu Easwaran continued his sublime run of form with a brilliant century as Bengal played out a draw with Uttar Pradesh on the final day of their Ranji Trophy encounter on Monday. Resuming the day at 78, Easwaran scored his 27th First-class hundred — his fifth century in the last nine innings — to help Bengal declare their second innings at 254/3, setting U.P. a target of 273 runs. Despite a challenging pitch and early setbacks, Priyam Garg’s gritty century ensured the hosts managed to hold on for a draw. Bengal walked away with three points for their first-innings lead, while Uttar Pradesh had to settle for one.

Starting the day under overcast skies, the U.P. pacers struggled to generate any movement from the pitch. Bengal’s opening pair of Easwaran and Sudip Chatterjee, who had already stitched together a century stand on Day 3, remained untroubled by the bowling attack. Yash Dayal’s short-ball ploy was short-lived after the left-armer was cautioned for delivering three consecutive deliveries above shoulder height.

Easwaran, in particular, displayed great composure, bringing up his hundred off 140 balls. There was a moment of uncertainty when he survived a close lbw shout against leg-spinner Vipraj Nigam, but he quickly regained his focus to notch up another century. His partner, Sudip Chatterjee, also looked set for a century but fell for 93, trapped lbw by Saurabh Kumar.

After the quick dismissals of Sudip Gharami and Abishek Porel, who both fell to Nigam in consecutive deliveries, Easwaran accelerated, scoring at nearly a run-a-ball to stretch Bengal’s lead beyond 250. With dark clouds hovering and only spinners allowed to bowl due to poor light, Bengal declared just before lunch, giving themselves a shot at forcing a result.

However, UP’s resistance proved stubborn. Bengal’s hopes for an early breakthrough materialized soon after lunch, with Mukesh Kumar trapping U.P. skipper Aryan Juyal lbw just two balls into the session. Swastik Chikara followed soon after, gifting a return catch to Mohammed Kaif, and when Siddarth Yadav was bowled by Kaif for eight, U.P. seemed to be in deep trouble at 52/3.

But Priyam Garg, showing immense resilience, took charge of the innings. With support from Nitish Rana, who added a steady 32-ball 7, Garg guided U.P. out of troubled waters. Despite the pain from multiple blows to the ribs, groin, and shoulder, Garg displayed both defiance and intent. He fended off a testing spell from Mukesh Kumar, particularly dealing with bouncers, while managing to keep the scoreboard ticking with well-timed boundaries.

As wickets continued to fall at the other end, Garg remained U.P’s stronghold. He brought up his hundred off 142 balls, smacking Shahbaz Ahmed for a six over mid-on. His battling innings ensured that UP finished at 162 for six, forcing Bengal to settle for a draw.

Prolific Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran scored his fourth first class hundred in as many games before Priyam Garg’s fighting century for Uttar Pradesh resulted in a drawn game in the Ranji Trophy on Monday. Bengal took three points for gaining the first innings lead while Uttar Pradesh walked away with a point on the final day of the Group A fixture. Resuming their second innings at an overnight 141 for no loss, Bengal declared at 254 for three in the morning session with Easwaran remaining unbeaten on 127 off 172 balls.

Uttar Pradesh were set an improbable target of 274 and they could only reach 162 for six in 151 overs before bad light brought an end to the game. Having made 311 in their first innings, Bengal had managed to take a slender 19-run first innings lead by bowling out Uttar Pradesh for 292.

Easwaran, who resumed at an overnight 78, completed his 27th first-class ton in the morning. The right-hander is a strong contender for the reserve opener’s role in the India squad for the upcoming tour of Australia.

Bengal pace duo of Mukesh Kumar and Mohammad Kaif increased the nerves in the UP dressing room by removing the openers, Aryan Juyal (5) and Swastik Chikara (12), respectively .

Number three batter fought a lone battle for his team with an unbeaten 105 off 156 balls. He brought his hundred with a six over long on. Overall, he collected eights fours and five sixes.

Bengal eventually ran out of time to dismiss UP but Garg played a major role in denying them a victory.

Vidarbha beat Andhra by 74 runs in Group B Ranji Trophy match

Medium pacer Aditya Thakare and left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey shared eight wickets between them to hand Vidarbha a 74-run victory over Andhra in a Ranji Trophy Group B match on Monday. While Vidarbha were bundled out for 118 in their first innings, Andhra scored 167 in response. In the second innings, Vidarbha rode on Punjab Kings opener Atharva Taide’s century, complemented by Aman Mokhade (53) and Danish Melewar (61) to score a healthy 366, thereby setting a target of 318 for Andhra.

But Thakare (4/47) and Dubey (4/69) and ably assisted by veteran off-spinner Akshay Wakhare (2/71) as they bowled out Andhra for 243 all out in 86.4 overs to ensure the win.

In Jaipur, hosts Rajasthan came tantalisingly close to registering an outright win over Puducherry, falling short by just 19 runs to settle for a draw but grabbed three points by virtue of taking the first innings lead in another Ranji Trophy Group B match.

Chasing 239 on the fourth and final day, Rajasthan could muster 220 for 7 in 60 overs.

Opener Abhijeet Tomar top-scored for Rajasthan with 87 off 149 balls, while wicketkeeper Kunal Singh Rathore made 59 off 126 deliveries.

Fabid Ahmed (2/46) and Sagar Udeshi (2/56) picked up two wickets each for Puducherry.

Earlier resuming their second essay at 207 for 6 on Monday, Puducherry added 74 runs for the loss of four wickets to set the total.

Akash Kargave (54) and Anand Bais (45) made significant scores for Puducherry.

Mahipal Lomror (3/15), Rahul Chahar (2/44), Khaleel Ahmed (2/64) and Manav Sutar (2/71) were the main wicket takers for Rajasthan in Puducherry’s second innings.

In Secundrebad, Gujarat defeated Hyderabad by 126 runs to register their first win.

Elsewhere, Himachal hammered Uttarakhand by an innings and 97 runs in Dharamsala.

Brief scores:

In Lucknow: Bengal 311 and 254/3 decl in 60.5 overs; (Abhimanyu Easwaran 127 not out, Sudip Chatterjee 93). Uttar Pradesh 292 and 162 in 51 overs (Priyam Garg 105 not out; Mukesh 2/58, Mohammed Kaif 2/4). Match drawn.

In Nagpur: In Nagpur: Vidarbha: 118 and 366 beat Andhra: 167 and 243 in 86.4 overs by 74 runs.

In Jaipur: Puducherry: 248 and 281 drew with Rajasthan: 291 and 220 for 7 in 60 overs.

In Dharamsala: Himachal Pradesh: 663/3 dec in 164 overs beat Uttarakhand: 299 and 267 by an innings 97 runs.

In Secunderabad: Gujarat: 343 and 201 beat Hyderabad: 248 and 170 by 126 runs. 

In Indore: Madhya Pradesh 425/8 decl. Karnataka 206/5 in 75 overs (Nikin Jose 99, Shreyas Gopal 60 not out; Kumar Kartikeya 3/68). Match drawn.

In Thumba: Punjab 194 and 142 all out (Prabhsimran Singh 51 Kerala 179; 70.4 overs (Sarwate 4/43, Aparajith 4/35). Kerala 179 and 158/2 in 36 overs (Sachin Baby 56; Rohan Kunnumal 48). Kerala win by eight wickets.

Sudip Chatterjee struck a successive fifty-plus score, while Abhimanyu Easwaran returned to form with an unbeaten half-century as the two openers put Bengal in the driver’s seat after a crucial first-innings lead on day 3 of their Ranji Trophy Group A clash against Uttar Pradesh here on Sunday. After Mukesh Kumar (4/43) and Shahbaz Ahmed (4/96) skittled out the home side for 292 to give a 19-run first innings lead, the opening duo capitalised on the momentum to strengthen their grip on the match. As bad light cut short the day’s play, Bengal were sitting comfortably at 141 for no loss in 36 overs, with an overall lead of 160 runs with the final day’s play remaining.

Abhimanyu, who was dismissed for a mere five runs in Bengal’s first innings, looked like a different player in his second knock.

The stylish right-hander, who had been in red-hot form with three back-to-back centuries in the Duleep Trophy and Irani Cup, demonstrated his class once again, remaining unbeaten on 78 from 107 balls, hitting seven well-timed boundaries.

With his name doing rounds as a potential reserve opener for India’s much-anticipated tour of Australia, this innings came at an ideal time for Abhimanyu.

He played with patience and composure, after being granted a life when Nitish Rana dropped him on 32 at first slip of legspinner Vipraj Nigam.

Abhimanyu made the most of his reprieve, confidently dispatching loose deliveries on the flat Ekana track.

Chatterjee, who was the architect of Bengal’s first-innings total of 311 with a gritty 116, picked up where he left off, scoring an unbeaten 59 from 109 balls (5×4).

The left-hander displayed great resilience and technique, particularly under fading light conditions when he was struck on the helmet twice by rising deliveries from left-arm pacer Yash Dayal.

But he refused to be shaken and batted on with a smile and declined a concussion substitute before bad light stopped play.

Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh resumed their innings at 206/3, looking to overhaul Bengal’s total of 311 with Aryan Juyal sitting pretty on 90 in the company of another set batter Siddarth Yadav (20).

However, Bengal’s India pacer Mukesh Kumar bowled a fiery spell to trigger a collapse, as they lost seven wickets for just 94.

Mukesh was the star for Bengal, striking early when he trapped Juyal LBW for 92. In his very next over, Mukesh dismissed Akashdeep Nath for a duck, with Wriddhiman Saha taking a sharp catch at slip.

Saurabh Kumar was the next to fall, cleaned up by Mukesh for just 7, as UP’s batting order crumbled.

The only resistance came from Siddarth Yadav, who played a fighting knock of 73 off 127 balls.

Yadav launched a counter-attack, smashing three sixes and six boundaries to help UP cross the 250-mark and reduce Bengal’s first-innings lead.

He found support from Yash Dayal (16) and Ankit Rajpoot, building useful lower-order partnerships before being the last man to be dismissed.

Brief Scores In Lucknow: Bengal 311 and 141 for no loss; 36 overs (Abhimanyu Easwaran 78, Sudip Chatterjee 59). Uttar Pradesh 292; 89.4 overs (Aryan Juyal 92, Siddarth Yadav 73; Mukesh Kumar 4/43, Shahbaz Ahmed 4/96).

In Indore: Madhya Pradesh 425/8; 140 overs (Shubham Sharma 143 batting, Harpreet Singh 91, Saransh Jain 51; Vasuki Koushik 2/78, Vijaykumar Vyshak 2/83, Hardik Raj 2/79).

In Thumba: Punjab 194. Kerala 179; 70.4 overs (Mayank Markande 6/59, Gurnoor Brar 3/18).