Australia A strike after setting India A target of 365

Stumps India A 167 and 28 for 1 (Murphy 1-1) need another 337 runs to beat Australia A 358 and 173 for 4 dec (Sangha 44, Konstas 40)

Australia A tightened their grip on the second unofficial Test against India A by setting the hosts a target of 365, and then removing Sai Sudharsan a few minutes before the close of play on day three. Aayush Pandey, who was dismissed in the first over of India A's first innings, came through unscathed, though, and finished the day unbeaten. Tushar Deshpande, sent in as a night-watcher, had a few close shaves but also survived the final few minutes.

Earlier in the day, Australia A were relentless with the ball. They attacked the stumps, barely dished out freebies and kept a lid on the run-scoring, using whatever help was on offer. Reverse swing became a factor too once the ball got older and got scuffed up. Liam Hatcher, probably the quickest of the pacers on show, used that to his advantage, breezing through Shaik Rasheed's defence courtesy a nip-backer.

Corey Rocchiccioli, who has been impressive throughout the tour, then took over, castling Tanush Kotian in similar fashion, with the ball pitching outside off and ripping through the gap between bat and pad. Anshul Kamboj was the next to get bowled by Rocchiccioli as Kamboj attempted a hack across the line.

Jhye Richardson later accounted for Nachiket Bhute and Shams Mulani in the same over, handing Australia a very healthy 191-run first innings lead and allowing them to call the shots for the rest of the day.

India A, who had seen Australia reap rewards through their bowling consistency and discipline, were not able to replicate it. They tried attacking the stumps but erred onto the pads far too often. That India A could not string together a maiden over until the 13th over, bowled by Mulani, only highlighted their issues.

They were not helped by the absence of Kamboj, who was called up to India's ODI squad against the West Indies and was subsequently withdrawn from this game post-lunch, having bowled just a couple of overs.

Australia A also showed much better application than they did in the first unofficial Test. Josh Philippe, featuring as an opener, kept things ticking and thrived whenever the India A bowlers strayed onto his pads. Philippe looked primed for a big score, but an ill-judged single, coupled with Deshpande's direct hit from mid on, sent the wicket-keeper back to the shed.

Sam Konstas did his job at the top of the order too. He had to live dangerously on a few occasions - including being dropped on 32 by Yash Rathod at leg slip - but he found a way to build a foundation for his side. Konstas eventually perished for 40 after failing to execute a paddle sweep off a very full ball on the stumps.

Nathan McSweeney also fared well, only to swipe at a Praful Hinge delivery that did not bounce much and crashed into off stump. Peter Handscomb, meanwhile, did not trouble the scorers and fell for a six-ball duck to Kotian.

Jason Sangha, walking in at 5, had to assume the role of batting protagonist thereafter. He looked comfortable at the crease and did not allow the spinners to settle, remaining unbeaten on 44. He found an able ally in Liam Scott, and their partnership remained unbroken when the visitors declared their innings and set India A a target of 365.