India A’s Top Order Crumbles Against Australia A’s Bowling at MCG

The Indian team management’s decision to return KL Rahul to the top order didn’t pay off. He was dismissed for just four runs off a run-a-ball in the India A vs. Australia A four-day game that commenced Thursday at Melbourne’s iconic MCG. Rahul, the only India A player with prior experience at this venue, was quickly removed in the second over by Scott Boland.

The day began poorly for India A, who were sent into bat on a lively MCG pitch, only to encounter a fierce Australian pace attack led by Michael Neser and Scott Boland. Right from the outset, Neser put the visitors under pressure by striking twice in his opening over, dismissing Abhimanyu Easwaran (0 off 3) and Sai Sudharsan (0 off 1) with back-to-back deliveries.

Rahul managed to get off the mark with a boundary but soon fell to Boland’s bowling, a preview of the bowler’s potential for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, scheduled to kick off on November 22 in Perth. Neser returned in the following over to dismiss India A captain Ruturaj Gaikwad for just 4 runs, leaving India A struggling at 11/4 in only the third over of the match.

The intense pace attack by Australia A’s bowlers showcased the challenges India A’s batting lineup might face in pursuing international experience and honed skills on Australian soil.

Image Credits: Jansatta

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