KANPUR, Oct. 5 -- The unofficial one-day encounter between India A and Australia A here on Sunday promises to be a thrilling finale in what has already been a closely contested series. As both the teams have won one tie each in the three-match series, the teams will enter this decisive encounter with a resolve to finish the tour on a high note. The match will also be one last chance for cricketers like Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma to train hard before the forthcoming Australia tour where Team India is due to play five ODIs and three T20Is. In fact, India A began the series with a commanding win, thanks to standout centuries by skipper Shreyas Iyer and opener Priyansh Arya, amassing over 400 runs and dismissing Australia A for 242. The bowling, spearheaded by Nishant Sindhu and Ravi Bishnoi, delivered key breakthroughs. However, Australia A bounced back strongly in the second game, chasing down a revised target with an effortless ease, featuring a powerful knock from Mackenzie Harvey and sharp bowling from Jack Edwards. For India A, Tilak Varma's performance with the bat remains critical as does the finishing power in the lower middle order. Team India's hero in Asia Cup victory at Dubai last week, Varma on Friday played a crucial innings that showcased his growing maturity and adaptability in the one-day format. Coming in at a challenging stage, he anchored the middle order with a blend of controlled aggression and smart shot selection. His timing and placement were impressive, as he rotated the strike efficiently and punished loose deliveries, helping India A stabilise their innings after losing early wickets. His ability to read the game situation allowed him to build partnerships that kept the scoreboard ticking, laying the foundation for a competitive total. Being an important batter for India A in the third match, Varma's composure under pressure will again be crucial, especially against the threatening Australian pace and spin attack, and it will reflect his potential as a dependable middle-order batsman. On Friday, though he didn't reach a big personal score, his contribution was vital in setting up a defendable target, boosting the team's confidence. This innings reinforced Varma's reputation as a promising talent in Indian cricket, capable of making significant impacts in crucial games. His performance in this second ODI bodes well for his future prospects and makes him a key player to watch in the ongoing series and beyond. Kanpur's Green Park Stadium has traditionally offered conditions favourable to spin, especially in the second innings, and both teams are likely to play extra slow bowlers. Batting first and posting a good total could be an advantage. With rain impacting earlier matches, both captains must be ready for possible interruptions and adapt their strategies for shortened games if required. Both sides could consider minor adjustments. India A may bring in additional spin options in the form of local boy and all-rounder Vipraj Nigam, while Australia A could bolster their pace attack or reintroduce all-rounders for balance. A series decider between these promising second-string sides is not only a test of talent but a measure of bench strength for the respective national squads. Fringe players from both camps will view this match as a critical audition for senior team honours....