India A vs Afghanistan A Live Score: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ayush Badoni fall in back-to-back deliveries; the road to 400 looks difficult now
India A have suffered a sudden collapse at 245/5 after 38 overs, losing two wickets in two balls to hand Afghanistan A a way back into the contest.
The breakthrough came when Ruturaj Gaikwad fell for 66 off 80 balls, mistiming a slog off Farmanullah Safi and finding Hassan Eisakhil at midwicket. The dismissal ended a vital partnership with Tilak Varma that had steadied the innings through the middle overs.
Safi struck again immediately, removing Ayush Badoni for a first-ball duck after the batter edged behind to wicketkeeper Ishaq Rahimi. The Afghan pacer was on a hat-trick as Suryansh Shedge walked out to the crease.
Despite the double blow, Tilak Varma remains unbeaten on 36, holding the key for India A as they look to recover and push towards a competitive total in the final overs.