Kanpur, India – October 1, 2025 – After a day`s delay due to inclement weather, the first unofficial One-Day International between India A and Australia A finally burst into action on its reserve day. What unfolded was a definitive statement from the Indian side, delivering a masterclass in power-hitting and clinical bowling. India A, fueled by magnificent centuries from Priyansh Arya and captain Shreyas Iyer, made an emphatic statement, demolishing their Australian counterparts by a staggering 171 runs.
The stage was set for a high-scoring encounter at Kanpur, and India A wasted absolutely no time in seizing the initiative after being asked to bat first. What followed was a spectacle of aggressive yet controlled batting, culminating in a colossal total of 413 for 6. The innings was meticulously built around two pivotal centuries, first from the promising opener Priyansh Arya, and then a true captain`s knock from the returning Shreyas Iyer.
The Architects of Destruction: Arya and Iyer Lead the Charge
Priyansh Arya, demonstrating the formidable form that has cemented his reputation as a rising star, laid a rock-solid foundation with a superb 101 runs. He found an exceptionally able partner in Prabhsimran Singh, rekindling their successful IPL partnership, as the duo stitched together an impressive 135-run opening stand. This formidable and rapid start set an aggressive tone, allowing subsequent batsmen the luxury of playing with uninhibited freedom.
However, it was captain Shreyas Iyer who truly took the innings by the scruff of the neck. In his first List A match since his Champions Trophy heroics earlier this year, Iyer showcased why he remains a premier white-ball talent. While reportedly taking a sabbatical from the longer format to manage a back concern, his white-ball prowess remains unmistakably sharp. His commanding 110 runs, a brutal assault decorated with 12 fours and four massive sixes, was a testament to his attacking flair and strategic brilliance, propelling the score past seemingly insurmountable benchmarks with a nonchalant ease.
The relentless onslaught didn`t stop there. India A`s batting lineup proved to be a veritable conveyor belt of aggressors, with Riyan Parag contributing a blistering 67 and Ayush Badoni adding a rapid 50 to the mounting total. Notably, each of India`s top six batsmen scored at a strike rate exceeding 100, a statistic that speaks volumes about their collective and relentless pursuit of runs. Even Iyer`s dismissal in the 47th over, with India A at 380 for 4, couldn`t halt the momentum; Badoni and Nishant Sindhu confidently carried the charge forward, ensuring the monumental 400-run mark was comfortably breached.
Australia A`s Chasing Nightmare
Chasing an Everest-sized target of 414, Australia A began their innings with a flicker of hope, reaching a promising 116 for 1 in the 13th over. Opener McKenzie Harvey played a spirited knock of 68 off 62 balls, and captain Sutherland contributed a defiant 50 off 33 deliveries later on. For a brief, optimistic period, one might have entertained the audacious thought of a chase. Yet, cricket, as it often does, had other plans.
The dismissal of Cooper Connolly proved to be the pivotal and unraveling thread. What began as a confident pursuit swiftly transformed into a calamitous collapse. Australia A lost their remaining nine wickets for a mere 126 runs, ultimately folding for 242 in a paltry 33.1 overs. The sheer speed of their capitulation, leaving almost 17 overs unused, was a stark illustration of the suffocating pressure applied by the relentless Indian attack, both with bat and ball.
Spinners and Debutants Seal the Deal
India A`s bowlers, particularly the spinners, masterfully capitalized on the immense scoreboard pressure. Nishant Sindhu was the undeniable pick of the bowlers, snaring 4 wickets for 50 runs, effectively dismantling Australia A`s middle and lower order with surgical precision. Ravi Bishnoi chipped in with 2 wickets for 49, while Ayush Badoni also made his presence felt with a crucial dismissal. Even debutant Gurjapneet Singh, fast-tracked into the side for his List A debut, impressed with commendable figures of 1 for 40 in his five overs, marking a solid start to his burgeoning career.
This comprehensive 171-run victory sends an unequivocally clear message from the India A camp. It`s a testament to their deep bench strength and aggressive brand of cricket. With Asia Cup hero Tilak Varma set to join the squad for the remaining two one-dayers, the team`s formidable strength is only poised to increase, adding another layer of talent to an already potent lineup. Australia A will undoubtedly need to re-strategize with urgency, as India A has laid down a gauntlet that demands a response of equal measure. The series has begun with an explosive bang, promising more thrilling and intensely competitive cricket ahead.
