India’s big batting Test stars had a baptism of fire in the first four-day unofficial Test at Lincoln on Saturday. Representing India A ahead of the two-Test series next month, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, captain Dhruv Jurel, all struggled on the opening day of the game on a lively pitch as the team was bowled out for 113 against New Zealand A in 39.3 overs. At the close of play, the Kiwis were 135/3 in 41 overs.
The Indian seamers – the quartet of Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Choudhary and Aquib Nabi -- were expected to get their own back on the Kiwis but they failed to make any impression for a very long time as New Zealand A openers Rhys Mariu and Curtis Heaphy added 131. Captain Mariu was looking good for a ton when Choudhary got him in front of the wickets for 76. Nabi then got wickets off back-to-back deliveries – both LBWs -- to further set back the hosts. Heaphy (37) and Matthew Boyle (0) were at the crease at stumps.
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Earlier, Mariu won the toss and decided to field in light of the bowling-friendly conditions. Rahul was the first to go for a duck off pacer Fraser Sheat. Jaiswal dropped anchor with No.3 Padikkal but Zak Gibson ended his resistance for 17 (45 balls). Sudharsan, who is competing with Padikkal for the No.3 Test spot, was Simon Keene’s victim. The left-hander failed to open his account. He was bowled by the right-arm Kiwi pacer, who went on to take a five-for (5/24).
{{/usCountry}}Earlier, Mariu won the toss and decided to field in light of the bowling-friendly conditions. Rahul was the first to go for a duck off pacer Fraser Sheat. Jaiswal dropped anchor with No.3 Padikkal but Zak Gibson ended his resistance for 17 (45 balls). Sudharsan, who is competing with Padikkal for the No.3 Test spot, was Simon Keene’s victim. The left-hander failed to open his account. He was bowled by the right-arm Kiwi pacer, who went on to take a five-for (5/24).
{{/usCountry}}Deep Dive
How did India A perform against New Zealand A on the first day at Lincoln?
Why did India A's Test batters struggle against New Zealand A?
Who was India A's top scorer against New Zealand A on Day 1?
Jurel struggled too, and he was Keene’s second victim. The wicketkeeper batsman made 1. Padikkal was impressive at the other end and looked good for a big score, but then Gibson struck again to end his innings. The left-hander made 32 off 77 balls with the help of five boundaries.
Yash Rathod takes India past 100
If not for No.6 Yash Rathod’s 44 not out off 49 balls, things could have been much worse for the visitors. Rathod hit three fours and three sixes during his innings. Washington Sundar, Kamboj and Akash Deep, the remaining three Test-squad players in action, contributed 0, 10 and 0, respectively.
India A are going to play two more unofficial Tests after this. The players are looking to gain some valuable practice as well as adapt in time before the first game of the two-Test series starts on November 19 at Wellington.