KL Rahul and India A bowlers keep chase alive in Lucknow: 243 needed on final day

India A finished day three on 169/2 chasing 412, riding KL Rahul’s fluent 74 and a disciplined bowling display that dismissed Australia A for 185 in their second innings at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow. With 243 still required and eight wickets in hand, the hosts have given themselves a genuine shot at a memorable fourth-innings heist.

The equation at stumps

India A 194 and 169/2 need 243 more to reach 412 after Australia A were bowled out for 420 and 185. Rahul set the tempo at the top, Sai Sudharsan closed the day on 44* after earlier making 75 in the first innings, and nightwatchman Manav Suthar held firm at the other end. The run rate sat above four an over through the final two sessions, matching the series’ high-scoring rhythm without reckless risks.

Rahul’s statement knock, Sudharsan’s calm

Rahul looked in complete control through drives on the up and late steers behind point, pacing the chase with crisp strike rotation before retiring hurt late in the final session. Before that, his 85-run opening stand with Narayan Jagadeesan (36) neutralised early movement and put Australia A on the back foot. Todd Murphy struck twice to remove Jagadeesan and, later, Devdutt Padikkal for 5, but Sudharsan’s composure at No. 3 steadied the reply. His balance at the crease and willingness to leave or defend on length suggested a method built for long fourth-innings batting.

Bowlers drag Australia A back

The day began with Australia A wobbling at 16/3, then 17/4, before captain Nathan McSweeney (85) and Josh Philippe (50 off 48) rebuilt with a brisk 90-run stand. Philippe countered left-arm spin with hard and reverse sweeps.

“I like having that approach against spin… with the rough and the left-arm spinner coming around the wicket… hard sweeping—both reverse and normal—are really good options for me,” Philippe said.

Once Philippe fell to Suthar, McSweeney ran out of partners. Suthar’s three-for completed an eight-wicket match (5/107 and 3/50), Gurnoor Brar’s three strikes cut through the lower-middle order, and Mohammed Siraj plus concussion substitute Yash Thakur shared four between them. Australia A’s 185 meant a target far larger on paper than it felt in the flow of play, given surface pace, outfield speed, and India A’s batting depth.

Murphy’s double and the spin question

Murphy’s twin blows—breaking the opening stand and nicking off Padikkal—kept Australia A in the contest and foreshadowed the key battle on the final day: India A vs high-class spin on a day-four surface with footmarks outside the right-hander’s off stump. With the older ball, Australia A will likely stack catchers around the bat for Murphy while rotating seam at the other end to challenge with cross-seam and cutters into the deck.

Suthar’s all-round influence

Beyond his eight wickets across the match, Suthar’s promotion as nightwatchman was significant. It protected a fresh batter from a tricky last half-hour and underlined India A’s trust in Suthar’s temperament. His left-arm angle was the game’s decisive bowling factor, repeatedly drawing errors as he used drift into the pads and turn away to split bat and pad.

Target, time, and temperament

India A need 243 more with two set-ups to consider: bat normally in the first session to lop off 80–90, then move into a control phase through the middle of the day, or counter-punch early to make Australia A chase the game with spread fields. Either plan hinges on Sudharsan batting deep and the middle order meeting spin with decisive feet and soft hands. If Rahul is fit to resume, the balance tilts further India A’s way; if not, Padikkal, Ayush Badoni, and Riyan Parag’s red-ball discipline will be tested.

What Australia A need

Australia A need one early incision to expose fresh batters to Murphy before the ball softens. McSweeney’s men will also eye reverse swing as the ball ages, using mid-on/mid-off squeeze fields to dry singles and induce aerial drives. A burst of three wickets before the 50-over mark would flip the chase’s psychology.

Day three in numbers (brief)

• Target: 412; India A at stumps: 169/2, need 243

• Top performers: KL Rahul 74 (retired hurt), Sai Sudharsan 44*; Nathan McSweeney 85; Josh Philippe 50

• Bowling: Manav Suthar match 8-for (5/107 & 3/50); Gurnoor Brar 3/42; Todd Murphy 2/49 in the chase so far

The final-day blueprint

• India A: Trust processes—watch length, play late, back the sweep only on line; rotate diligently to deny maidens; cash in on anything short.

• Australia A: Murphy early and often; crowd the bat for the left-armer’s footmark; hunt for reverse with disciplined seam lines; keep midwicket/cover catching pockets alive for miscues.

If India A ride Sudharsan’s game management and get one 60–80 stand in the middle, the door is open. If Murphy scythes through early, a long day awaits the hosts.