Shams Mulani spins India ‘A’ into 163-run lead against Australia ‘A’

Puducherry: Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar are India’s top two left-arm finger spinners in Test cricket. But Shams Mulani showed at CAP-Siechem Stadium here on Wednesday that he can keep the duo on their toes.

The Mumbai bowler’s four-wicket haul, which came after a 113 off 240 by wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra, helped India ‘A’ take a massive 163-run first-innings lead on a pitch that has quite a bit in it for the bowlers.

India ‘A’ now have the option of enforcing a follow-on, with 150 being the mark in four-day matches, but the team management kept the Australians guessing about their decision until the third day morning.

After India ‘A’ had put up 334, the seamers made good use of the wind and overcast conditions. Left-hander Campbell Kellaway was trapped LBW by Anshul Kamboj before Praful Hinge accounted for Nathan McSweeney, who was cleaned up by one that nipped away after pitching.

Mulani (4-67) took over from there as he outfoxed captain Peter Handscomb with an arm ball that skidded through to crash into middle stump.

Mulani varied his pace and sometimes looked to push the ball through, and still managed to get turn that kept the Australian batters on their toes.

He got the wicket of right-hander Liam Scott (26) with one that sharply turned away and then removed danger-man Jason Sangha (46).

Brief scores: India ‘A’ 334 (K Kushagra 113, T Kotian 69; C Rocchiccioli 4-95, T Murphy 3-77) vs Aus ‘A’ 171 (J Sangha 46; Shams Mulani 4-67).

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