The second four-day game will also be played in Puducherry from September 29.
In India, captain Devdutt Padikkal won the toss and chose to bat first. Sai Sudharsan made 57 runs, and then Australia A bounced back with some wickets at the top. But then Kumar Kushagra made 113 and Tanush Kotian made 69 to take India A to 334 runs in the first innings. Corey Rocchiccioli picked four wickets, while Todd Murphy took 3 wickets.
Australia A was bundled for 171 runs in the first innings, with Jason Sangha top-scoring with 46 runs, and Shams Mulani taking 4/67 runs. India replied with 199 runs, with Devdutt Padikkal scoring 59 and Kushagra making 46*.
Australia A was set 363 runs to win but were bundled out for 200 runs, with Fergus O’Neill making 47 runs. Tushar Deshpande and Shams Mulani picked three wickets each for India as they won the game by 162 runs. Kumar Kushagra won Player of the Match for his brilliant batting.
Peter Handscomb said the Puducherry ground pitch deteriorated much faster than Australia A expected while talking about the result.
"Conditions were tough. The wicket obviously deteriorated throughout the game and became harder and harder to bat on with cracks going up and down the wicket, but also across the wicket, which meant that some balls were shooting and some balls were taking off.
But also, credit goes to the Indian team for the way they were relentless with their line and length, both with their quicks and their spin. As the conditions get harder, it puts a lot of emphasis on you in your first innings. We didn't see the wicket deteriorating as quickly as it did from day one to day two, and that was a bit of a difference,” Handscomb said, as quoted by cricket.com.au.
Handscomb said he was impressed by the attitude shown by Jason Sangha, who got a start in both innings, and Murphy, who showed great control with the ball.
"I actually think we played pretty well, and I don't think there are a lot of things that we need to change dramatically. We got a few balls today that were almost unplayable. I'm not trying to make excuses, but maybe (we need) more of a mental shift ... Being positive if the wicket is going to be tough, then finding ways to put pressure back onto the opposition,” the Australia captain added.
The second four-dayers are on Tuesday at the same venue. The two teams will also play three 50-over games on October 6, 9 and 11 at the same venue in Puducherry.