Fiery half-centuries from Josh Philippe and Sam Konstas, supported by sharp bowling from Spencer Johnson, took Australia A to a comprehensive 69-run victory over India A in the second one-day fixture on Friday.
With this win, the visiting team secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Beyond the series loss, the home side will face serious concerns regarding the ongoing batting slumps of top-order trio Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, all of whom failed to deliver for the second consecutive outing.
Opting to bat, Australia A posted a competitive total of 275 all out in 49.5 overs, anchored by a crucial 101-run partnership for the second wicket between Konstas (67 off 88 balls) and Philippe (58 off 58 balls).
Philippe recovered brilliantly from his low score in the opening match, executing brilliant strokes including a memorable inside-out drive off Nishant Sindhu before bringing up his half-century in 53 deliveries by pulling Yash Thakur to the boundary. Konstas played a slightly more measured anchor role, highlighted by a clean pull shot for six off pacer Arshad Khan.
Although both set batters eventually departed, Philippe falling to Sindhu and Konstas dismissed by Arshad, leaving the tourists at 168 for three in the 30th over, India’s bowlers managed to restrict the death-overs momentum. They claimed the remaining seven wickets while conceding 107 runs in the final 20 overs, with Arshad finishing as the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/56.
Patidar shines despite India A’s defeat
Chasing a target of 276 was achievable, but India A suffered a disastrous start, sliding to 30 for three inside nine overs following the cheap dismissals of (1), Gaikwad (12), and Sudharsan (13).
Rajat Patidar stood firm as the solitary experienced hand in the middle order, compiling a gritty 67 from 82 deliveries. However, he lacked sustained assistance from the other end. The hosts’ highest partnership was a 51-run stand for the fifth wicket between Patidar and Sindhu.
Once Spencer Johnson removed Patidar, any realistic hopes of an Indian recovery vanished. Johnson led the bowling attack with impressive figures of 3/35, also accounting for Padikkal and Suryansh Shedge, as India A’s innings folded at 206 with nearly five overs to spare.