India A face loss to Australia A after batsmen fail to build on starts

India A batsmen on Friday failed to convert their starts into big scores as they finished the third day's play against Australia A at 267 for six in the second unofficial Test in Chennai.

Conceding a first-innings lead of 214, India A lost captain Cheteshwar Pujara cheaply for 11 at the start of their second innings.

Although the hosts managed to wipe out their run-deficit, batsmen faltered once again despite promising starts.

Opener Abhinav Mukund (59), Shreyas Iyer (48) and star batsman Virat Kohli (45) were the notable scorers for India A.

Karun Nair and Naman Ojha were dismissed for their respective scores of 31 and 30, with Baba Aparajith remaining unbeaten on 28 to increase their lead to 53 at the close of play.

Steve O'Keefe was the pick of Australia A bowlers, with returning figures of 3-83.

India A will try to salvage the match when they resume their innings tomorrow against a side aiming to secure a win after drawing the first game.