# India A set Australia A 363-run target on day three

2026-09-24T14:07:58+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

India A set Australia A a target of 363 runs on day three of the first unofficial Test in Puducherry, after being bowled out for 199 in their second innings. Skipper Devdutt Padikkal top-scored with 59, while Kumar Kushagra remained unbeaten on 46. Off-spinner Todd Murphy was the pick of the Australia A bowlers with four wickets. At stumps, Australia A were 55 for two, needing a further 308 runs on the final day. Nathan McSweeney was batting on 23, but the loss of Sam Konstas (20) late in the day left the visitors with a tough task. The Hindu notes the pitch offered uneven bounce, making the chase difficult. Sportstar reported that India A's lower order collapsed, losing their last six wickets for 48 runs.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

All three sources offer neutral straight reporting with no discernible slant. The coverage focuses on the match situation: India A's strong position after setting a big target, Padikkal's fifty, and Australia A's difficult chase. The key difference is in detail: Sportstar provides live ball-by-ball updates including close calls and DRS events, while The Hindu and PTI (via Rediff) give a more condensed match report. The uniform consensus is that Australia A face a near-impossible task on a tricky wicket. The outcome depends on whether Australia A can survive the final day or if India A's bowlers will wrap up the win. The pitch behaviour, with uneven bounce for spinners, will be decisive on day four.

## Coverage

- sportstar.thehindu.com (neutral report) <https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/india-a-vs-australia-a-1st-unofficial-test-day-3-live-score-updates-puducherry/article71501289.ece>
  Live updates focus on match events without editorialising
- thehindu.com (neutral report) <https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/australia-a-faces-a-daunting-task-on-the-final-day/article71504468.ece>
  Straight match report with technical detail on pitch and play
- rediff.com (neutral report) <https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/india-a-vs-australia-a-devdutt-padikkal-kumar-kushagra-shine-as-hosts-set-363-target/20260924.htm>
  PTI wire copy with standard match summary

Tags: Australia A, Devdutt Padikkal, India A, Kumar Kushagra, Puducherry, Todd Murphy
Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/india-a-sets-australia-a-363-run-target-in-unofficial-test/
License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources.
Cite: https://indianopinion.org/india-a-sets-australia-a-363-run-target-in-unofficial-test/#story-in-brief