India’s second-innings performance, led by Devdutt Padikkal’s outstanding 199-run knock, put the team in a commanding position. However, despite the Indian bowlers needing just one more wicket to seal the win, the deteriorating light prevented them from completing the job.
India’s First Innings Collapses for Just 113 Runs
India’s batting struggled from the outset after losing the toss and being sent in to bat. The team’s first innings ended at just 113 runs, with several key batters failing to make significant contributions. KL Rahul was dismissed for a duck, Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 17, and Dhruv Jurel managed only one run.
Yash Rathod remained unbeaten on 44 to provide some resistance, while Devdutt Padikkal contributed 32 runs. However, New Zealand A’s bowlers maintained control throughout the innings. Simon Keene dismantled the Indian batting order with five wickets for 24 runs, while Jack Gibson claimed three wickets for 29 runs, restricting India to a modest total.
New Zealand A Builds a 204-Run Lead
Taking advantage of India’s first-innings collapse, New Zealand A scored 317 runs in reply, establishing a substantial 204-run lead over the hosts.
Captain Rhys Mariu led the batting effort with 76 runs, while Dean Foxcroft contributed a half-century of 51. Christian Clarke added 42 runs, helping New Zealand A build a commanding first-innings advantage.
For India, Anshul Kamboj and Aqib Nabi claimed three wickets each, while Akash Deep took two wickets. Despite their efforts, India faced a significant deficit heading into their second innings.
Devdutt Padikkal Leads India’s Remarkable Second-Innings Recovery
Facing a 204-run first-innings deficit, India A produced a strong batting performance in their second innings, piling up 516 runs and dramatically changing the course of the match.
Devdutt Padikkal was the standout performer, narrowly missing a double century after scoring 199 runs. His innings included 24 fours and three sixes, but he fell just one run short of the landmark.
Sai Sudharsan provided valuable support with a composed 91, while Yash Rathod scored an aggressive 66. Washington Sundar also made a significant contribution, scoring 52 runs. Their performances helped India recover from their difficult first innings and put New Zealand A under pressure.
India’s second-innings total of 516 gave New Zealand A a target of 313 runs to win, setting up a tense final phase of the four-day contest.
Aqib Nabi Takes Three Wickets as New Zealand A Slips to Nine Down
Chasing 313 runs for victory, New Zealand A struggled against India’s bowling attack as the match moved towards its conclusion.
Aqib Nabi led the attack, taking three wickets for 28 runs and dealing crucial blows to the visitors’ batting lineup. Padikkal, who had already made a major impact with the bat, also contributed with the ball by claiming two wickets.
Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Choudhary and Washington Sundar took one wicket each, helping India reduce New Zealand A to nine wickets down and move within touching distance of victory.
India Needs One More Wicket, but Poor Light Forces a Draw
On the fourth and final day, India required just one more wicket to complete the victory. At the close of play, New Zealand A were struggling at 187 for nine, still needing 126 runs to reach their target of 313.
Curtis Heaphy remained unbeaten on 90, holding one end together as his team faced mounting pressure from the Indian bowlers. With nine wickets already down, India appeared poised to secure the win.
However, just as the contest reached its decisive stage, play was stopped because of poor light. With New Zealand A needing 126 more runs and India only one wicket away from victory, the match was ultimately declared a draw.
The result denied India A a win despite their remarkable recovery from 113 in the first innings and their dominant bowling performance in the final innings. Padikkal’s 199-run knock and India’s late push for victory remained the defining features of a match that ended without a decisive result.
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