KL Rahul’s Unbeaten 176 Leads India A to Record 412 Chase Against Australia A

KL Rahul struck a brilliant unbeaten 176 to guide India A to their highest-ever successful chase, beating Australia A by five wickets in the second Unofficial Test at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium on Friday. India A chased down 412, the highest by any ‘A’ team in history.

Rahul’s 210-ball knock, laced with 16 fours and 4 sixes, was the anchor of the innings. He found strong support from Sai Sudharsan, who scored 100 from 172 balls, and skipper Dhruv Jurel, who added a quick 56 off 66 deliveries. Nitish Kumar Reddy stayed unbeaten on 16, helping Rahul finish the job.

India A had a tough start, bowled out for 194 in their first innings in reply to Australia A’s 420. Only Sudharsan’s 75 stood out, as Henry Thornton picked 4 for 36.

But the bowlers turned it around in the second innings. Mohammed Siraj (2/20), Manav Suthar (3/50), and Gurnoor Brar (3/42) bundled out Australia A for 185 despite Nathan McSweeney’s 85.

Set 412 to win, India A resumed day four at 169 for 2. Rahul and Sudharsan batted with composure, deflating the visitors.

When the winning runs came, India A sealed the series 1-0 and wrote history by surpassing the previous record chase of 367 by Australia A against Sri Lanka A in 2022. For India A, it bettered their own best chase of 340 against Nottinghamshire in 2003.