India A pulled off a nail-biting two-wicket victory over Australia A in the third unofficial ODI at Green Park, Kanpur, successfully chasing down 317 runs with 24 balls to spare. Prabhsimran Singh’s magnificent century (102 off 68 balls) laid the foundation for the hosts’ thrilling win on Sunday evening.
The result sealed the three-match series 2-1 in favor of India A, with the home side showing remarkable composure under pressure.
Match Overview: Australia A vs India A, 3rd Unofficial ODI
The day-night encounter at Green Park on October 5, 2025, proved to be a fitting finale to the Australia A tour of India. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the visitors posted a competitive 316 all out in 49.1 overs, thanks to crucial contributions from Jack Edwards (89) and Liam Scott (73).
India A’s response was built on fearless batting and crucial partnerships, ultimately crossing the line at 322/8 in 46 overs.
First Innings: Australia A Set a Challenging Target
Australia A’s innings started disastrously. They lost both openers inside the first five overs, with Jake Fraser-McGurk (5) and Mackenzie Harvey (7) departing cheaply to leave the visitors reeling at 22/2.
Harry Dixon’s early dismissal compounded their troubles, and at 44/4 in the eighth over, Australia A looked in serious danger of posting a below-par total.
However, Cooper Connolly provided some resistance with a brisk 64 off 49 balls, striking at over 130. His counter-attacking knock steadied the ship momentarily before he fell in the 21st over.
The real turnaround came through a magnificent seventh-wicket partnership between Liam Scott and captain Jack Edwards. Scott’s aggressive 73 off 64 deliveries featured six boundaries and a six, while Edwards anchored the innings beautifully with 89 off 75 balls.
Their 152-run stand transformed Australia A’s position from precarious to competitive. Edwards looked set for a well-deserved century but was dismissed in the 45th over, triggering a late collapse.
Arshdeep Singh was the pick of India A’s bowlers, claiming 3/38 in his 10-over spell. Harshit Rana (3/61) and Todd Murphy (4/42) also chipped in with crucial wickets, preventing Australia A from crossing the 350-mark.
The Chase: Prabhsimran’s Blitz Sets the Tone
Chasing 317, India A needed a strong start—and Prabhsimran Singh delivered exactly that. The wicketkeeper-batsman came out all guns blazing, taking the attack to the Australian bowlers from the outset.
Prabhsimran found an able partner in Abhishek Sharma (22 off 25), and the pair added 83 runs for the first wicket in just 11.2 overs. The aggressive approach immediately put Australia A on the back foot.
After Abhishek’s dismissal and Tilak Varma’s quick departure for just 3, Prabhsimran continued his assault. He reached his century off just 68 balls—a knock that included eight fours and seven sixes—before falling in the 20th over with India A at 145/3.
His innings shifted the momentum decisively in India’s favor, reducing the required rate to manageable proportions.
Middle Overs: Iyer and Parag Build the Platform
Captain Shreyas Iyer and all-rounder Riyan Parag then took charge during the middle overs. Both batsmen played percentage cricket while maintaining the required scoring rate around seven runs per over.
Iyer’s 62 off 58 balls was a captain’s knock—calm, composed, and calculated. Parag matched him stroke for stroke with his own 62 off 55 deliveries, striking at 112.72.
Their 117-run partnership for the fourth wicket effectively killed the contest. By the time Iyer fell in the 35th over, India A needed just 55 runs from 94 balls with six wickets in hand.
Death Overs Drama: India A Hold Their Nerve
What should have been a comfortable finish turned tense when Australia A struck back with quick wickets. Parag, Badoni (21), Sindhu (2), and Harshit Rana (0) all fell in quick succession, leaving India A at 301/8.
Suddenly, 16 runs were needed with just two wickets remaining. The match hung in the balance as Todd Murphy and Tanveer Sangha—who had combined for eight wickets—sensed an opportunity.
However, Vipraj Nigam (24 not out off 32) kept his cool alongside Arshdeep Singh (7 not out), steering India A home with four overs to spare.
Scorecard Summary
| Team | Runs | Wickets | Overs | Run Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia A | 316 | 10 | 49.1 | 6.42 |
| India A | 322 | 8 | 46.0 | 7.00 |
Result: India A won by 2 wickets
Last 10 Overs Run Chart (India A’s Chase)
| Overs | Runs Scored | Key Events |
|---|---|---|
| 37-38 | 18 runs | Parag reaches fifty |
| 38-39 | 10 runs | Sindhu dismissed |
| 39-40 | 8 runs | Wicket maiden |
| 40-41 | 12 runs | Iyer departs |
| 41-42 | 10 runs | Badoni, Rana fall |
| 42-43 | 11 runs | Pressure builds |
| 43-44 | 9 runs | Nigam takes charge |
| 44-45 | 13 runs | Arshdeep joins |
| 45-46 | 12 runs | Match sealed |
| 46-47 | – | Victory achieved |
Top Performers: Australia A vs India A
India A:
- Prabhsimran Singh — 102 (68), 8×4, 7×6 — Player of the Match
- Shreyas Iyer — 62 (58), Player of the Series
- Riyan Parag — 62 (55), 5×4, 3×6
- Todd Murphy — 4/42 (10 overs)
Australia A:
- Jack Edwards — 89 (75), 7×4, 5×6
- Liam Scott — 73 (64), 6×4, 1×6
- Tanveer Sangha — 4/72 (10 overs)
- Cooper Connolly — 64 (49), 4×4, 1×6
Post-Match Reactions
Prabhsimran Singh, who earned the Player of the Match award, credited the team’s positive approach: “The plan was simple—go hard in the powerplay and build partnerships. Credit to Shreyas and Riyan for that brilliant stand in the middle overs.”
Australia A captain Jack Edwards acknowledged his team’s fighting spirit: “We fought back well after a poor start, but 316 wasn’t quite enough on this surface. Credit to India for the way they chased it down.”
Riyan Parag was named Player of the Series for his consistent all-round performances throughout the three matches.
Series Summary
| Match | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | Lucknow | India A won by 7 wickets |
| 2nd ODI | Lucknow | Australia A won by 5 wickets |
| 3rd ODI | Kanpur | India A won by 2 wickets |
Series Result: India A won 2-1
What’s Next?
This victory caps off an impressive home season for India A, who showed great depth in their batting and bowling lineups. Several players have staked strong claims for senior team selection with their performances in this series.
Australia A will take valuable lessons from this tour as they continue building depth for their national setup. The experience of playing in Indian conditions will serve these young players well in the future.
Both teams now shift focus to their respective domestic commitments, with the Indian domestic season entering its crucial phase.
Final Thoughts
The Australia A vs India A 3rd unofficial ODI result perfectly encapsulated the competitive spirit of this series. Prabhsimran Singh’s explosive century, combined with crucial contributions from Iyer and Parag, ensured India A finished the series on a high note.
Despite posting 316, Australia A couldn’t defend the total on a batting-friendly Kanpur surface. The match summary reflects how modern limited-overs cricket demands quick scoring and sustained partnerships—something India A executed to perfection.
This thrilling contest at Green Park will be remembered as one of the finest chases in recent India A cricket history.