Mahli Beardman Dazzles with 4/23 as India A Lose 125-Run Oval Clash

Mahli Beardman ripped through India A, claiming 4 wickets for 23 in a blistering spell that left the hosts batting out of their depth—wickets tumbling like dominoes.

The selectors, meanwhile, are holding their breath, drafting the ODI squad next week while the Indian A side keeps probing the fringe talent in the unofficial series against Australia A.

Rajat Patidar’s lone 53‑run effort was a glimmer of resistance in a 149‑run chase that saw India A collapse to a 275‑run target.

In the T20I camp, Shreyas Iyer keeps his captaincy on a largely unchanged squad, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return is the headline‑grabber—he’s back after a long hiatus since November 2022.

With the ODI opener set for Auckland on November 4, the stakes are high: a win could swing the five‑match series and secure India’s spot in the World Test Championship final.

Next up: the first ODI in Auckland, where the selectors will test how Beardman’s form translates into the senior squad.