In a commanding performance, Australia A overpowered India A by 9 wickets (DLS adjusted) in a rain-affected second unofficial ODI in Kanpur, leveling the three-match series 1–1. Cricbuzz Despite weather stalling play, the visitors made the most of the revised target, largely thanks to fluent batting from Mackenzie Harvey (70*) and Cooper Connolly (50*) after a strong bowling spell from Jack Edwards. Cricbuzz
Let’s break this match down: how Australia engineered control, how India A faltered, and what this means for both sides moving forward.
Match Flow & Turning Points
India A’s Innings: From Promise to Collapse
India A, having won the first unofficial ODI, chose to bat first. The innings started on a shaky note:
- Jack Edwards struck first with a golden duck for Abhishek Sharma, setting the tone early. Cricbuzz
- Prabhsimran Singh followed not long after, dismissed by Will Sutherland for just 1. Cricbuzz
- Edwards continued relentlessly, getting the wicket of Shreyas Iyer (8) and denting India’s top order further. The hosts were 17/3 in the 6th over. Cricbuzz
Into the breach stepped Riyan Parag and Tilak Varma, who stitched together a valuable century-plus stand, with Parag reaching a half-century. Cricbuzz But their recovery was cut short: Parag fell to Sutherland, and momentum shifted back to Australia A. Cricbuzz
From there, India’s innings leaked runs and wickets:
- Nishant Sindhu was dismissed cheaply. Cricbuzz
- Tilak Varma brought some fight, going close to a century (94), but he couldn’t carry India to a truly formidable total. Cricbuzz
- Lower down, Harshit Rana offered a late flurry (21 off 13 with 2 sixes) but lacked strong support from the tail. The last two partnerships, including with Ravi Bishnoi (26) and Arshdeep Singh (10*), added useful runs but not enough to prevent a modest total. Cricbuzz
India A posted 246 in 45.5 overs before being bowled out. Cricbuzz
Australia’s Chase: Control & Composure
In reply, Australia A’s top order laid a strong foundation:
- Jake Fraser-McGurk got things rolling with 36 off just 20 balls. He attacked aggressively before falling to Nishant Sindhu. Cricbuzz
- After a rain interruption, the target was revised to 160 in 25 overs. Australia A needed to be efficient, and they were exactly that. Cricbuzz
- Harvey and Connolly did the heavy lifting:
• Harvey remained unbeaten on 70 off 49, laced with 10 boundaries and 2 sixes. Cricbuzz
• Connolly supported well with a composed 50* off 31, hitting multiple boundaries and sixes. Cricbuzz
The pair built a century partnership in under 10 overs, pushing Australia A past the finish line in just 16.4 overs. Cricbuzz It was a dominant chase — no fuss, just precision.
What Worked & What Went Wrong
For Australia A: Execution & Depth
- Edwards’ all-round impact: Bagging 4 wickets in the first innings, Edwards dismantled India A’s top order and shifted pressure heavily. Cricbuzz
- Strong batting depth: The Harvey–Connolly stand underlined Australia’s ability to chase under pressure, even in rain-shortened contexts.
- Adaptability in reduced-overs conditions: The revised target required clarity, pace, and shot selection — Australia displayed just that.
For India A: Missed Opportunities & Fragility
- Top-order collapse: Losing three key wickets early placed India in distress, forcing them into reactive mode.
- Lack of sustained partnerships: Though Parag and Varma brought some stability, India couldn’t build further after that.
- Over-reliance on few contributors: The lower order chipped in, but India’s middle had few contributors beyond the pair who made starts.
Implications & Looking Forward
- The series is now balanced. Australia A have shown they aren’t over-reliant on one performance and can bounce back strongly. India A will need to rethink their top order and their ability to build deep innings.
- For India A, players like Tilak Varma may gain confidence despite falling short of a hundred. But support from others (middle and lower order) must increase.
- Australia A’s depth is a warning: in tours like this, momentum swings matter. This win will give them belief and momentum ahead of the decider.
- The third unofficial ODI now becomes a pressure match — both teams will want to claim series advantage.
