Brendan Doggett Blows Away India A With 6-wicket Haul As Ruturaj Gaikwad And Co Get Shot Out For 107

In an intense clash under the blazing Queensland sun, India A’s red-ball squad faced a heavy setback, collapsing to a mere 107 runs against Australia A. Despite some promising performances, the visitors were completely dismantled by a dominant bowling display from Brendan Doggett, who scalped six wickets for Australia A on Thursday morning. This dismal showing leaves India A with significant room for improvement, especially as several of their Test hopefuls failed to leave a mark.

A Struggling India A Top Order Faces the Heat

Batting first, India A found themselves up against challenging conditions and a determined Australia A bowling lineup. Led by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, the team was under pressure from the very beginning as the Australian bowlers exploited a pitch that offered considerable seam and swing. As early as the third over, the Indian top order faltered, with Gaikwad and Test aspirant Abhimanyu Easwaran departing cheaply. Both were dismissed by Jordan Buckingham, who set the tone for the Australian side with disciplined line and length.

With a score of 32/3, India A’s situation looked precarious, and while Devdutt Padikkal offered a glimmer of hope with a handful of solid strokes, the support from the other end was minimal. Padikkal’s 36 runs made him the top scorer for the visitors, but even his innings couldn’t shield India A from the relentless attack by the Australian pacers.

Doggett’s Masterclass: Six Wickets and Unstoppable Momentum

The real star of the day was undoubtedly South Australia’s Brendan Doggett, whose six-wicket haul turned the game decisively in favor of Australia A. Doggett’s spell was a lesson in strategic bowling, as he constantly varied his lengths and exploited the movement off the pitch. His accuracy was impressive, delivering 11 overs that included six maidens and conceding only 15 runs, making it a daunting task for the Indian batters to score.

Doggett’s ability to keep the batters guessing—whether by pitching full, short, or good-length balls—added to the Indian lineup’s troubles. His second spell was particularly lethal, as he ran through the middle and lower order, reducing India A from 71/3 to an eventual total of 107. This clinical performance by Doggett was the backbone of Australia A’s success and sent a clear message about his form.

Brief Resistance from Padikkal and Saini

India A’s innings wasn’t without moments of resilience, though these were few and far between. Devdutt Padikkal managed to hold his ground and play a handful of attractive strokes, while Sai Sudharsan lent some support from the other end to temporarily halt the Australian onslaught. Padikkal’s 36 runs, however, couldn’t turn the tide, as Doggett’s disciplined attack found ways to break the partnership.

Tailender Navdeep Saini later contributed with 23 runs, showing some fight with the bat, but his efforts were short-lived. Saini, one of only three Indian players to reach double figures, demonstrated determination but ultimately fell to Doggett’s persistence. This left India A with a significantly low total and little leverage heading into the bowling phase of the game.

Australia A’s Openers Also Under Pressure

India A’s bowlers showed tenacity with the new ball and briefly rattled Australia A’s top order in return. Much like their Indian counterparts, Australia A’s openers struggled on the tricky Mackay pitch. Test hopefuls Sam Konstas and Cameron Bancroft, both auditioning for a potential opening slot, were dismissed for ducks, leaving Australia A at a delicate position early on.

Marcus Harris also failed to capitalize on his start, departing for 17 after a brief stay at the crease. With three wickets down early, Australia A found themselves in a challenging position, highlighting that the pitch indeed had assistance for the bowlers.

Beau Webster Holds Fort as Australia A Regroups

Amidst the shaky start, Australia A found stability through Beau Webster’s confident 33-run innings. His positive approach helped steady the innings as he took on the Indian bowlers, adding valuable runs and building momentum for his team. Webster’s resistance, however, was cut short by Mukesh Kumar, who claimed his second wicket of the day. Despite Webster’s departure, the groundwork had been laid for Australia A to claw their way back.

Captain Nathan McSweeney then took on the responsibility of stabilizing the innings. His composed approach allowed Australia A to end the day just eight runs behind, with six wickets in hand, placing them in a comfortable position going into the next phase.

Mukesh Kumar and Indian Bowlers Show Spirit in Response

The Indian bowling lineup, led by Mukesh Kumar, displayed moments of brilliance despite their team’s poor batting display. They seized early opportunities, with Mukesh striking twice to keep the hosts on the back foot. The Indian bowlers adhered to disciplined lines, managing to extract some movement from the pitch and put pressure on Australia A’s batters. However, the meager target left little margin for error, and Australia A’s batters gradually regained control.

While India A’s bowling attack showed grit, they will need to maintain greater consistency and focus on building pressure over longer spells if they hope to prevent Australia A from extending their lead in the upcoming sessions.

Takeaways: A Tough Learning Curve for Young India A

For India A, the collapse to 107 all out is a significant wake-up call. The young side, led by Gaikwad, faced challenges on a responsive pitch, but the performance also highlighted areas for improvement in handling seam-friendly conditions. The inability of top-order batters like Gaikwad and Easwaran to adapt and survive exposed a gap in experience and adaptability. This match will serve as a crucial learning experience, especially for those aspiring to make it to the national Test side.

Australia A, meanwhile, emerged from the day with a firm grip on the match. Doggett’s six-wicket spell, backed by Webster’s composure and McSweeney’s steady hand, put the hosts in command. With an eight-run deficit and six wickets remaining, Australia A is poised to capitalize on India A’s low total, setting the stage for what could be a commanding lead on Day Two.

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