Australia A Crushed in Puducherry as Murphy Stakes Test Claim
Australia A fell to a heavy 162-run defeat against India A in Puducherry, as quick Tushar Deshpande wreaked havoc and spinner Todd Murphy claimed seven wickets.
Australia A suffered a comprehensive 162-run defeat against India A in their first unofficial Test in Puducherry, with visiting captain Peter Handscomb left to rue losing a crucial toss. The opening coin toss proved decisive as the pitch deteriorated significantly over the course of the match, allowing India A to dictate terms after batting first under ideal conditions.
A fresh generation of Australian batting talent struggled immensely against the turning track and disciplined bowling attack. Opening pair Sam Konstas and Campbell Kellaway, alongside the South Australian trio of Jason Sangha, Nathan McSweeney, Liam Scott, and wicketkeeper Josh Philippe, all faltered. Jason Sangha stood alone as the only tourist to reach 40 in either innings.
Resuming the fourth and final day at 2/55 while chasing an improbable target of 363, the visitors collapsed dramatically before lunch, sliding to 7/124. Only a spirited late cameo from Fergus O'Neill, who struck 47 off 52 balls, added a layer of respectability to the final scorecard.
Opening quick Tushar Deshpande spearheaded the Indian bowling unit with impressive figures of 3/14. Following up on his dismissal of Campbell Kellaway on the third day, Deshpande ripped through the lower order with a pair of rapid inswingers that flattened the stumps of both Josh Philippe and Liam Scott on successive deliveries.
Despite the batting struggles, the standout silver lining for the tourists was the exceptional workload and performance of spinner Todd Murphy. The 25-year-old off-spinner claimed seven wickets across the match, delivering 48.3 overs in tandem with fellow spinner Corey Rocchiccioli, who picked up four wickets in the first innings.
Reflecting on his marathon spells in challenging heat and humidity, Murphy expressed satisfaction with his rhythm and tactical approach. Having made his Test debut in India back in 2023, his prolific stint in Puducherry significantly bolsters his claims for a recall ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in January.