Mulani, Deshpande star as India A beat Australia A by 162 runs
Synopsis
India A's bowlers put on a clinic at the CAP-Siechem Stadium in Puducherry, routing Australia A for 200 in the second innings to win by 162 runs. Shams Mulani's seven-wicket match haul and Tushar Deshpande's two in two deliveries were the defining moments — India A now lead the four-day series 1-0 heading into the second match from 29 September.
Key Takeaways
India A beat Australia A by 162 runs at the CAP-Siechem Stadium, Puducherry on 25 September .
Shams Mulani finished with a match haul of 7 for 124 , including 3 for 57 in the second innings.
Tushar Deshpande dismissed Josh Philippe and Liam Scott off successive deliveries, finishing with 3 for 14 .
Devdutt Padikkal scored 59 in the second innings — his fourth fifty-plus score in consecutive first-class matches.
Kumar Kushagra was named Player of the Match for his first-innings century and unbeaten 46 in the second.
The second four-day fixture is scheduled from 29 September to 2 October , followed by three One-Day matches .
Left-arm spinner Shams Mulani claimed a match haul of 7 for 124 and pacer Tushar Deshpande struck twice in quick succession as India A demolished Australia A by 162 runs about half an hour after lunch on the final day of the first four-day fixture at the CAP-Siechem Stadium in Puducherry on 25 September. Resuming their second innings at 55/2 and needing a further 308 runs for victory, the visitors were bundled out for 200 in 55.1 overs.
How Australia A Collapsed on Day Four
Medium pacer Anshul Kamboj set the tone in the morning session, dismissing overnight pair Nathan McSweeney (35, 75b, 5x4) and Australia A skipper Peter Handscomb (16) in the opening hour, immediately pushing the visitors onto the back foot.
Deshpande, coming on from the pavilion end in place of Kamboj, then removed Josh Philippe and Liam Scott off successive deliveries — a double-blow that effectively ended Australia A's resistance. Off-spinner Tanush Kotian followed up by clean bowling Jason Sangha, leaving the tourists in serious trouble at 185/7 at the lunch interval.
Mulani rounded off the innings after the break, accounting for top-scorer Fergus O'Neill (47, 52b, 6x4, 1x6) — caught at deep mid-wicket — along with two other wickets to seal the comprehensive win. Deshpande finished with figures of 3 for 14, while Mulani took 3 for 57 and Kotian contributed 2 for 57 in the second innings.
India A's Second-Innings Platform
The foundation for India A's commanding victory was laid on Thursday, when the hosts posted 199 in their second innings to set Australia A an improbable target of 363. Opener Sai Sudharsan (39, 85b, 3x4) — who had scored a fifty in the first innings — and India A skipper Devdutt Padikkal (59, 88b, 7x4) put on 68 runs for the second wicket to build on a first-innings lead of 163.
Sudharsan fell lbw attempting to sweep Todd Murphy just before lunch — the first of Murphy's four second-innings victims, the Australian off-spinner having taken three wickets in the first innings as well. Padikkal, recording his fourth consecutive fifty-plus score in as many first-class matches, reached his half-century with back-to-back boundaries off Liam Scott before falling lbw to the same bowler as the fifth wicket. India A's lower order then collapsed, surrendering their last six wickets for just 48 runs. First-innings centurion Kumar Kushagra held firm to remain unbeaten on 46.
Match Award and Series Picture
Kumar Kushagra was named Player of the Match for his first-innings century and unbeaten knock in the second. India A's first-innings total of 334 proved the decisive contribution of the contest, giving them a lead that Australia A could never realistically overhaul.
This result gives India A a 1-0 lead in the four-day series. The second fixture is scheduled at the same venue from 29 September to 2 October, followed by a three-match One-Day series. India A will take considerable confidence — and a settled squad — into the next encounter.
Brief Scores
India A 334 & 199 beat Australia A 171 & 200 all out in 55.1 overs (Fergus O'Neill 47; Tushar Deshpande 3-14, Shams Mulani 3-57, Tanush Kotian 2-57) by 162 runs.
Point of View
And it will be hard for the selectors to overlook such incisiveness heading into a Test cycle. Padikkal's run of form — four fifty-plus scores in four first-class outings — is the quiet subplot that deserves more attention than the scorecard suggests.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the India A vs Australia A first four-day match?
India A beat Australia A by 162 runs at the CAP-Siechem Stadium in Puducherry on 25 September. India A posted 334 and 199 against Australia A's 171 and 200 all out.
How did Shams Mulani perform in the match?
Shams Mulani took seven wickets across the match for 124 runs, including three wickets in the second innings for 57 runs. His victims included top-scorer Fergus O'Neill (47), who was caught at deep mid-wicket.
Who was named Player of the Match?
Kumar Kushagra was named Player of the Match for his first-innings century and unbeaten 46 in the second innings, contributions that helped India A build an unassailable lead.
What did Tushar Deshpande do in the second innings?
Tushar Deshpande dismissed Josh Philippe and Liam Scott off successive deliveries, finishing the second innings with figures of 3 for 14. His burst effectively broke Australia A's middle-order resistance.
When is the second four-day match between India A and Australia A?
The second four-day fixture is scheduled at the same CAP-Siechem Stadium in Puducherry from 29 September to 2 October, after which the two sides will play three One-Day matches.
