Yash Rathod and Shams Mulani batted for more than 36 overs in a crucial eighth-wicket partnership as India A held on for a thrilling draw against Australia A on the fourth day of the second and final four-day match in Puducherry on Friday.India A won the two-match series 1-0 after recording a 162-run victory in the opening game.Chasing 365, India A resumed the day at 28/1 and were reduced to 199/7 in 60.2 overs. They eventually reached 310/9 at stumps to secure the draw.Rathod, who scored 80 off 138 balls, and Mulani, who made 29 off 131 balls, put together an 80-run stand that lasted a little over 36 overs. They faced 16 overs of the second new ball during their partnership and kept India A in the contest.With seven overs left in the day, Australia A pacer Liam Scott, who finished with 5/37, dismissed Rathod leg before wicket. Two overs later, he removed Mulani to leave India A’s last-wicket pair of Nachiket Bhute and Praful Hinge with three overs to survive.Bhute, unbeaten on 20, and Hinge, unbeaten on 0, managed to see out those three overs to complete the draw.India A also had Tushar Deshpande to thank for his earlier contribution. The night watchman scored 52 off 119 balls and helped keep Australia A from taking control of the game.Deshpande added 60 runs for the third wicket with captain Devdutt Padikkal, who scored 26, as India A reached 99/2 at lunch. They added 71 runs in the morning session for the loss of overnight batter Aayush Pandey, who made 19.India A’s position became difficult in the second session when they lost five wickets to slip to 205/7 at tea.Scott dismissed Padikkal after he edged behind to Josh Philippe, who was standing up to the stumps. Deshpande then mistimed a drive against fast-medium bowler Liam Hatcher and was caught at mid-off.However, Rathod and Mulani then put together the partnership that helped India A defy the victory to Australia A.Sam Harper was named Player of the Match, while Shams Mulani was adjudged Player of the Series.
