Onus on India-A to force a decider
India-A is preparing for the second one-day cricket match against Australia-A in Puducherry after a heavy defeat in the series opener. The team is looking to improve its bowling performance and force a decider in the series.
Why it matters
This match is a critical development opportunity for emerging cricketers to prove their skills against international competition.
After being torn apart by the pace of the Australia-A bowling attack in the first encounter, India-A will look to bounce back and force a decider when the sides meet in the second one-dayer at the Cricket Association Puducherry Siechem Stadium here on Friday.
Chasing a target of 275 under the lights, the Indian top-order was undone by the pace and hard lengths executed by Mahli Beardman. There was a small shoot of recovery during the partnership between Rajat Patidar and Nishant Sindhu but despite batting deep, the team could only muster 149 before being bundled out in the 32nd over.
Australia-A too will have some introspection to do. Nathan McSweeney and captain Will Sutherland managed to lift them to 274 but attempting cross-batted shots on pitch where the ball reared from back-of-a-length posed a continuous problem throughout.
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