Rain forces draw after Padikkal 150

Devdutt Padikkal's 150 powered India A to within a run of Australia A's total of 532. However, on the final day, rain played a big part in the match petering out to a draw in Lucknow. On an otherwise batting-heavy game, both teams saw centuries being piled on with a total of four across innings.

Padikkal, coming in at No. 4 for India A, was the last to get to the landmark which had already been achieved by Josh Phillipe, Sam Konstas and Dhruv Jurel before him in this game. India A's batter had given a strong reply to Australia A with all of their top three - Abhimanyu Easwaran, N Jagadeesan and Sai Sudharsan - getting half-centuries. But a wobble in the middle threatened to derail that good work. But Padikkal and Jurel joined hands on 222/4 to put on a mammoth stand worth 228.

While jurel (140 off 197) was the aggressor in the partnership, Padikkal dug in to anchor the innings. Even as Jurel departed on the final day, Padikkal took centerstage in the first session before rain intervened. His patient knock allowed India A to get closer to the visitors' total before the game was drawn.

For Australia A, offspinners Corey Rocchiccioli and Todd Murphy shared more than half of the 141 overs bowled with the former being more successful with three wickets. Australia A's openers put on a second half-century stand adding to their 198-partnership from the first innings.

The second of the unofficial Tests between the two teams begins on September 23 at the same venue.

Brief scores: Australia A 532/6d (Josh Philippe 123, Sam Konstas 109) drew with India A 531/7d (Devdutt Padikkal 150, Dhruv Jurel 140)