Abhimanyu Easwaran was ousted in by swing while all-rounder Nitish Reddy perished due to extra bounce as India A batsmen’s inept technique was exposed during their sub-standard effort of 107 all out on the opening day of the first 'Unofficial Test' against Australia A at Mackay, Australia on Thursday.
Seamer Brendan Doggett produced a disconcerting bounce from length to run away with career-best first-class figures of 6 for 15 in 11 overs with only three Indian batters recording scores in double digits.
The struggles of the Indians on a pitch offering bounce and seam movement were evident as keeper Josh Phillipe held on to five catches.
At stumps, Australia A were 99 for 4 with Mukesh Kumar (2/30 in 11 overs) and Prasidh Krishna (2/18 in 11 overs) picking up a couple of wickets each.
India A bowlers will look to keep the first innings lead under 100 and then aim at putting up an improved show in the second innings.
The day's focus was on Easwaran and Reddy, the two members of the senior squad that will take on Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from November 22 in Perth.
After CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was brilliantly caught down the leg side off Jordan Buckingham, the right-arm seamer bowled one slightly back of the length, but it shaped away enough to draw Easwaran (7 off 30 balls) forward and nick one to the keeper.
Easwaran, who had rocked up four first-class tons on the trot to be selected in the senior team as a cover for skipper Rohit Sharma, has always struggled on tracks with a bit of spice in them.
He has never been comfortable when there has been extra bounce and a bit more seam movement in some pitches.
Most of the Indian batters struggled while adjusting to the bounce which was a good foot and half more than what they are used to in India which is just above knee roll.
Ishan Kishan did not factor in the extra bounce that Dogget extracted as he went for a slash to get caught.
Sai Sudharsan (21) and Devdutt Padikkal (36) were the two players who showed some promise but both fell prey to extra bounce when they tried to drive length balls.
When Australia batted, all their three-Test opening slot contenders -- Sam Konstas (0), Cameron Bancroft (0) and Marcus Harris (17) -- were out cheaply.
Bancroft will consider himself a bit unlucky as Prasidh's delivery had brushed his thigh pads into Ishan Kishan's hands.
Brief Scores: India A 1st Innings: 107 all out in 47.4 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 36, Brendan Doggett 6/15).
Australia A 1st Innings: 99 for 4 in 39 overs (Nathan McSweeney 29 batting, PrasidhKrishna 2/19).
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