Young Australian opener Sam Konstas smashed a fluent 109 to anchor Australia A's innings on 337 for five against India A on the opening day of their first unofficial four-day Test at Ekana Stadium. The 19-year-old, fresh from a memorable Test debut against India last summer, bludgeoned 10 fours and three sixes, capitalising on a batsman-friendly pitch to forge a commanding 198-run opening stand with Campbell Kellaway (88). This aggressive platform set the tone in the tour opener, part of a two-test series before a three-match ODI leg in Kanpur, as both sides gear up for potential international call-ups.

India A, led by Shreyas Iyer, mounted a spirited fightback through left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey, who returned stellar figures of three for 88, including the prized scalp of Konstas. The hosts, featuring Test pacer Prasidh Krishna, struggled early as the openers plundered 198 runs in just 37.1 overs, with Kellaway's 10 fours and two sixes underscoring the duo's dominance. The breakthrough arrived when Gurnoor Brar induced an edge from Kellaway, caught by Tanush Kotian, but Australia pressed on until Nathan McSweeney, Konstas' rival for the opening berth, departed for one, lbw to Dubey.

The middle session swung India's way as Dubey dismissed Konstas—bowled through the gate—and Khaleel Ahmed trapped Oliver Peake lbw, reducing Australia to 224 for four. However, a resilient 109-run fifth-wicket alliance between Cooper Connolly (70, with 12 fours and a six) and Liam Scott (47 not out) steadied the ship, frustrating the bowlers in testing conditions. Dubey struck again, snaffling Connolly, caught by Devdutt Padikkal, to cap a probing spell that yielded India A's only multi-wicket haul.

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Gurnoor Brar and Khaleel Ahmed chipped in with one wicket apiece, conceding 47 and 46 runs, respectively, while Prasidh toiled wicketlessly for 47 in 11 overs. With Australia A eyeing a first-innings total above 400, India A will need early breakthroughs on day two to claw back control in this emerging-rivalry fixture, which doubles as a proving ground for talents like Konstas and Dubey.

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