Mackay (Australia): Skipper Manish Pandey's valiant century went in vain as India A lost to Australia A by a solitary run in a high-scoring thriller in the Quadrangular Cricket series here today but still made it to the summit clash.

The defeat will not do any harm to the Rahul Dravid coached side as it had already qualified for the final. The win ensured that Australia A also qualified for the title clash ahead of South Africa A.