Padikkal and Sudharsan Lead India A Fightback in Lincoln

Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan anchored an important recovery for India A on the second day of the first unofficial Test in Lincoln. Facing a commanding 204-run deficit after the first innings, the visitors found themselves in early trouble when openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul were dismissed within the first 30 minutes. Jaiswal fell to a short delivery from Simon Keene in the fourth over, while Rahul was out hit-wicket shortly after, leaving India A in a vulnerable position. After the hosts built a commanding 204-run first-innings lead, India lost both openers cheaply yet again before an unbroken 96-run stand helped the visitors steady the innings, even as New Zealand A remain firm favourite.

Competing for the No. 3 batting position ahead of the upcoming Test series, Padikkal and Sudharsan combined for an unbroken 96-run stand to prevent another collapse. Padikkal, who earned an early reprieve, reached an unbeaten 56, while Sudharsan remained at the crease on 39 not out at stumps. Despite this late resistance, India A remains 98 runs behind with eight wickets in hand, facing a significant challenge to avoid defeat against a strong New Zealand A side. 3 spot ahead of next month’s Test series, came together to bail India out of early trouble and prevent a collapse similar to the one on Day 1.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand A resumed their first innings at 135/3. Overnight batter Curtis Heaphy added only seven runs to his score before departing, but the hosts’ middle and lower order provided substantial resistance. Dean Foxcroft played a key role with a solid half-century, and valuable partnerships from Kristian Clarke—who contributed 42 runs—ensured the hosts posted a total of 317. Clarke was particularly effective in adding 34 runs with Fraser Sheat and 32 with Zak Gibson to extend the lead. For India A, bowlers Anshul Kamboj and Auqib Nabi claimed three wickets each. Earlier, resuming from their overnight score of 135/3, New Zealand A lost well-set opener Curtis Heaphy after he added just seven runs to his overnight 37, missing out on a half-century. The other overnight batter, also fell soon after, but the middle and lower order resisted to take the hosts past the 300-run mark, matthew Boyle. Mitchell Hay and Dean Foxcroft added 43 runs in just under 11 overs to take the total past 200. Adding another 33 runs with Kristian Clarke in an eighth-wicket stand, foxcroft went on to make a solid half-century. Clarke then stitched together two more crucial partnerships – 34 runs off 48 balls for the ninth wicket with Fraser Sheat and a run-a-ball 32 for the tenth with Zak Gibson – before he was bowled for 42.

The current match situation leaves the visitors with a difficult task on day three to bridge the remaining 98-run deficit. Brief Scores: India A 113 and 106/2 (Devdutt Padikkal 56*, Sai Sudharsan 39*) trail New Zealand A 317 (Rhys Mariu 76, Dean Foxcroft 51; Anshul Kamboj 3-52, Auqib Nabi 3-69) by 98 runs.