Bhardwaj Sai Sudharsan underlined his growing status as a productive top-order batter with a hundred against England Lions, as India A reached a position of strength on the third day of their third unofficial Test here on Saturday.
Sudharsan made 117 off 240 balls as India A made 409 in their second innings for an overall lead of 402 runs. Chasing 403 for an improbable win, the Lions are 83 for two in their second innings at stumps.
Opener Alex Lees is keeping vigil at an unbeaten 41. They need a further 320 runs on the final day to win and level the series, which the hosts now lead 1-0. And for all that, India A, resuming from 148 for three, needed to thank Sudharsan who built on his overnight 54 substantially.
India left-hander Rinku Singh made a 25-ball 38 with five fours and a six as India gained early momentum in the first session.
Sudharsan and Rinku made 55 runs for the fourth-wicket stand. Pacer Matthew Fisher ended Rinku’s stay, castling him. But the home side gained more advantage through Sudharsan and Kumar Kushagra, who added 81 runs for the fifth wicket.
Brief scores
India A 192 & 409 (S Sudharsan 117, S Jain 63, T Varma 46; D Mousley 3-43, J Coles 3-140, M Fisher 2-53, M Potts 2-82) v England Lions 199 & 83-2 (A Lees 41*; S Jain 2-16)