12 October 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : India A ended their three-match unofficial one-day series against Australia A on a winning note, securing a 49-run victory in the third and final match in Puducherry on Sunday, October 11, 2026. A crucial batting recovery led by Suryansh Shedge, followed by a disciplined bowling performance spearheaded by Gurjapneet Singh, helped the hosts avoid a series whitewash. Australia A had already secured the series with a 2-0 lead, finishing the contest 2-1 in their favour.
Shedge played the defining role with the bat, scoring 66 runs off 60 deliveries. His innings, supported by Vipraj Nigam’s valuable 40, lifted India A to a competitive total of 275 all out in 47.3 overs after the team had suffered a significant middle-order collapse. Gurjapneet then claimed three important wickets as Australia A were dismissed for 226 in 46.2 overs, handing India A a convincing 49-run win.
India A recover after middle-order collapse
After being asked to bat first, India A began aggressively through openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh. The pair put pressure on the Australian bowlers, taking the score to 82 without loss in just over 10 overs. Arya contributed 49 off 45 balls, while Prabhsimran made 39 from 34 deliveries.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Australia A struck back with regular wickets. Liam Scott removed Prabhsimran and Devdutt Padikkal in successive overs, while Ben Dwarshuis dismissed Arya. India A soon found themselves in trouble at 118 for five, leaving the middle and lower order with the responsibility of rebuilding the innings.
Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad attempted to stabilise the situation alongside Shedge. Gaikwad scored 33 before falling, but Shedge remained at the crease and continued to build the innings under pressure. His composure proved vital as India A looked to avoid being bowled out for a below-par total.
Shedge and Nigam produce crucial partnership
The turning point came through the seventh-wicket partnership between Shedge and Nigam. The pair added 85 runs, helping India A recover from 159 for six and push towards the 275-run mark.
Shedge combined sensible shot selection with timely aggression, ensuring that the innings regained momentum after the Australian bowlers had dominated the middle overs. Nigam offered strong support at the other end with his 40-run contribution, allowing the partnership to frustrate Australia A’s attempt to wrap up the innings quickly.
Their stand proved decisive in setting a challenging target. India A eventually lost their remaining wickets and were bowled out for 275 in 47.3 overs. Dwarshuis and Will Sutherland took three wickets each for Australia A, but the late recovery meant their efforts were not enough to restrict the hosts to a modest total.
Gurjapneet leads India A’s bowling effort
Australia A began the chase positively, with Josh Philippe and Liam Scott putting together an opening stand of 82 runs. Philippe scored 56, giving the visitors a solid platform, while the early partnership suggested that the target was within reach.
India A, however, responded with timely breakthroughs. Vipraj Nigam dismissed Philippe, and Nishant Sindhu removed Scott in the following over. The wickets slowed Australia’s progress, although Lachlan Shaw and Nathan McSweeney attempted to rebuild the innings with a 58-run partnership.
Gurjapneet Singh then changed the course of the chase. He dismissed McSweeney, who made 39, before striking again as Australia A’s middle order began to crumble. His three-wicket haul, supported by Yash Thakur and Sindhu, prevented the visitors from recovering.
Australia A slipped from 177 for four to 209 for seven, leaving the lower order with a difficult task. Gurjapneet removed Mitchell Owen and Tanveer Sangha, putting India A firmly in control. Thakur completed the job by helping dismiss the final wicket, bowling Australia A out for 226 in 46.2 overs.
India A finish on a positive note
The victory offered India A some relief after losing the opening two matches and surrendering the series. Shedge’s innings demonstrated the value of lower-order contributions under pressure, while Nigam’s all-round involvement and Gurjapneet’s decisive bowling highlighted the team’s ability to respond after setbacks.
For Australia A, the series win remained a significant achievement despite the defeat in the final game. Their bowlers had controlled much of India’s innings, but Shedge and Nigam’s partnership allowed the hosts to recover. The Australian batting unit, meanwhile, made a promising start before losing wickets at regular intervals.
India A will take encouragement from the performances of Shedge, Nigam and Gurjapneet, particularly their contributions during the most demanding phases of the match. Although the result could not change the overall series outcome, the 49-run win ensured the hosts finished the contest with momentum and avoided a clean sweep.