Devdutt Padikkal showcased his exceptional batting prowess, smashing a magnificent century, his seventh in first-class cricket, to help India A deliver a formidable response to Australia A’s colossal first-innings total. The thrilling ‘unofficial’ Test match in Lucknow ultimately ended in a draw on Friday, September 19, 2025.
Resuming his innings from a strong 86 not out, Padikkal continued his brilliant form, reaching an impressive 150 runs off 281 deliveries. His remarkable innings allowed the hosts to declare at 531 for 7, falling just one run short of Australia A’s declaration score of 532 for 6 in the four-day encounter.
In their second innings, Australia A batted cautiously, finishing at 56 without loss after 16 overs, as the match gracefully concluded in a peaceful draw.
Sam Konstas, who had already scored a century in the first innings, remained unbeaten on 27, while Campbell Kellaway supported him with 24 runs.
Padikkal’s outstanding performance, highlighted by 14 boundaries and a six, significantly boosted his chances for an India call-up, especially with upcoming red-ball series against West Indies and South Africa. This century serves as a powerful statement in the ongoing two-match ‘unofficial’ Test series.
The other overnight star, Dhruv Jurel, who began the final day on 113, displayed authoritative batting, adding a further 27 runs before being dismissed by promising right-arm pacer Fergus O’Neill for a stellar 140 off 197 balls. Jurel’s innings was adorned with 13 fours and five towering sixes.
Together, the fifth-wicket duo forged a crucial 228-run partnership, expertly steering India A out of a tricky situation after losing skipper Shreyas Iyer on Thursday, leaving them at 222/4.
By the time Jurel departed, India A were comfortably positioned at 450/5. Padikkal’s dismissal to Corey Rocchiccioli’s off-spin, with the team total at 520/7, firmly cemented the inevitable draw.
Harsh Dubey contributed an unbeaten 16, while Prasidh Krishna remained at 0 when Iyer chose to declare the innings after the first ball of India A’s 142nd over.
Corey Rocchiccioli emerged as Australia A’s most successful bowler, claiming 3 wickets for 159 runs. The second ‘unofficial’ Test is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
Brief scores
Australia A: 532 for 6 declared; 56 for no loss in 16 overs drew with India A: 531 for 7 declared in 141.1 overs (Abhimanyu Easwaran 44, Narayan Jagadeesan 64, Sai Sudharsan 73, Devdutt Padikkal 150, Dhruv Jurel 140; Corey Rocchiccioli 3/159).