Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan helped India A recover from another poor start with the bat on Day 2 of the four-day unofficial Test against New Zealand A on Sunday. The visitors reached 106/2 in their second innings, with the two batters putting together an unbeaten partnership to steady the innings.
India A had another disappointing start as openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul failed to make an impact. Both returned to the pavilion with just 10 runs on the board, leaving the team in trouble once again.
Padikkal and Sudharsan then took charge and added an unbeaten 96 runs for the third wicket. Padikkal was batting on 56 off 89 balls, while Sudharsan remained unbeaten on 39 off 104 deliveries at stumps.
India A, who were bowled out for just 113 in their first innings, still trail New Zealand A by 98 runs with two days left in the match.
Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan Keep India A In The Game
Padikkal played the attacking role in the partnership, hitting nine boundaries in his unbeaten knock. Sudharsan, meanwhile, focused on building his innings and supported his partner well, finding the fence five times.
Padikkal had also shown some resistance in the first innings, scoring 32 off 77 balls at No. 3. He was the highest scorer among India’s specialist batters in that innings.
The duo will look to continue their partnership on Monday and help India A reduce the deficit before putting pressure on the hosts. Captain Dhruv Jurel, Yas Rathod and Washington Sundar will also need to contribute with the bat if the visitors are to set New Zealand A a challenging target.
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New Zealand A Take 204-Run First-Innings Lead
Earlier in the day, New Zealand A resumed their first innings at 135/3 and went on to score 317 in 89.3 overs, taking a commanding lead of 204 runs.
Captain Rhys Mariu led the way with a patient 76 off 137 balls, while Dean Foxcroft contributed 51. Opener Curtis Heaphy scored 44, and Kristian Clarke added 42. Wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay also chipped in with 24 runs.
India A’s bowling attack struggled to maintain discipline and conceded 46 runs in extras, adding to the visitors’ problems.
Anshul Kamboj, Auqib Nabi Pick Three Wickets Each
Anshul Kamboj and Auqib Nabi were India’s most successful bowlers, taking three wickets each. Kamboj finished with figures of 3/52, while Nabi claimed 3/69.
Akash Deep picked up two wickets, while Mukesh Choudhary and Washington Sundar took one wicket each.
Despite their efforts with the ball, India A conceded a big first-innings lead. The visitors will now depend on Padikkal and Sudharsan to continue their resistance on Day 3 and give the team a chance to fight back in the match.
Brief Scores:
India A: 113 and 106 for 2 in 36 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 56 batting, Sai Sudharsan 39 batting; Simon Keene 1/19, Fraser Sheat 1/26).
New Zealand A (overnight 135/3 in 41 overs): 317 all out in 89.3 overs (Rhys Mariu 76, Dean Foxcroft 51; Anshul Kamboj 3/52, Auqib Nabi 3/69). India A trail by 98 runs.