Kushagra, Kotian dig deep to revive India-A

Kumar Kushagra (82 retired hurt, 160b, 10x4) and Tanush Kotian (68 batting, 134b, 4x4, 1x6) braved a rampant spin attack from Australia-A to salvage India-A’s innings on the opening day of the first ‘Test’ at the Siechem Cricket Stadium here on Tuesday.

Their 138-run partnership was an ideal intervention after India-A had slumped to 97 for five, and it ended only because Kushagra retired hurt late in the day. Kotian did not let this disrupt his momentum, taking India-A to 257 for five at stumps.

Both were handed early reprieves. Kushagra was pinned by Brendan Doggett’s in-seamer but a timely DRS saved him and revealed the ball to be going down leg. Kotian should have been snared behind off Todd Murphy had either Josh Philippe or the first slip held the chance.