Prabhsimran’s century, Iyer and Parag shine as India A clinch series 2-1 vs Australia A

India A won a close match against Australia A by two wickets in the last unofficial ODI on Sunday. Prabhsimran Singh scored a fast 102, while captain Shreyas Iyer and Riyan Parag also hit fifties to help secure the win.

India A secured a thrilling two‑wicket victory over Australia A in the final unofficial ODI on Sunday, thanks to a brilliant 102 off 68 balls from opener Prabhsimran Singh, and solid half‑centuries from skipper Shreyas Iyer and Riyan Parag.

Who won the series?

With this win, India A took the series 2-1. Australia A, batting first, recovered from an early stumble to post 316 runs in 49.1 overs. Captain Jack Edwards made 89 from 75 balls, while Liam Scott hammered 73 in aggressive fashion.

When India A chased, they looked comfortable at 262 for 3 in the 35th over. But then a sudden slide saw them lose five wickets in just 57 balls, getting to 301 for 8. Still, Vipraj Nigam (24*, 32 balls) and Arshdeep Singh (7*, not out) held their nerves and finished the chase with 24 balls to spare.

What happened to Arshdeep Singh?

There was concern when Arshdeep seemed uncomfortable while bowling for India, but he completed his spell and was the pick among India A’s bowlers with 3/38. Arshdeep, who features often in India’s white-ball squads, is scheduled to travel to Australia later this month for the upcoming ODI and T20I series.

What happened in the match?

India A’s chase started fast — Prabhsimran and Abhishek Sharma (22 in 25 balls) added 83 runs in 11.2 overs. Abhishek was the first to go, trying to clear long-off and giving a catch. Murphy struck again later to remove Tilak Varma (3). But Prabhsimran kept scoring freely and reached his century in 66 balls.

Skipper Iyer (62 off 58) joined him well. Together, they added 96 runs for the third wicket and kept India ahead in the chase. After Prabhsimran was out in the 20th over, Parag took over, scoring a quick 58 off 53 balls (with five fours and two sixes). His 117-run stand with Iyer kept India in control.

However, Sangha (4/72) and Murphy (4/42) then triggered a collapse. India lost Shreyas, Riyan, and Nishant Sindhu in quick succession. Later, Badoni and Harshit Rana also fell in the 42nd over — Rana falling for a golden duck. Arshdeep, though, blocked the hat-trick delivery.

Earlier in the match, India A’s pace bowlers — Arshdeep (3/38) and Rana (3/61) — struck early. They reduced Australia to 24 for 3 within six overs by removing Jake Fraser‑McGurk, Mackenzie Harvey, and Harry Dixon.

Australia then recovered. Cooper Connolly made 64 off 49 balls, and along with Lachlan Shaw (32), built a steady middle phase. But Badoni dismissed Connolly trying to clear long-on. Edwards and Scott then added 152 runs together for the seventh wicket in just 20 overs, boosting Australia to a formidable total. Edwards hit eight fours and three sixes before being dismissed by Arshdeep in the 45th over.

Australia’s lower order didn’t contribute much, and they were all out with five balls to spare. India A had won the first match by 171 runs. Australia A bounced back to win the second by nine wickets, before India clinched the decider.

Brief scores:

Australia A: 316 in 49.1 overs (Edwards 89, Scott 73, Connolly 64; Arshdeep 3/38, Rana 3/61, Badoni 2/31)
India A: 322/8 in 46 overs (Prabhsimran 102, Iyer 62, Parag 58) — won by two wickets.