Five ducks as India A collapse for 113 against New Zealand A

India A’s star-studded batting line-up crumbles in Lincoln

India A were dismissed for 113 on the opening day of the first unofficial Test against New Zealand A at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, as the visitors’ batters struggled against a disciplined pace attack on a grass-covered pitch.

Five India A batters failed to score. KL Rahul edged Fraser Sheat behind after facing eight balls, while Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar also fell for ducks. Captain and wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel made one before being dismissed by Simon Keene. Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 17, but the top order could not establish partnerships.

Devdutt Padikkal’s 32 from 77 deliveries offered some resistance, though wickets continued to fall around him. India A slumped to 58 for six and lost their final five wickets for just 55 runs.

Keene leads the attack; Rathod fights back

Keene finished with five wickets for 24 runs from 11.3 overs. Zak Gibson took three for 29, while Sheat and Kristian Clarke claimed one wicket apiece.

Yash Rathod was the lone bright spot for India A, remaining unbeaten on 44 from 49 balls, including three fours and three sixes. He helped push the total past 100 in a last-wicket stand with Mukesh Choudhary, who was dismissed without scoring as Keene completed his five-wicket haul.

With the surface offering assistance to the quicks, India A’s bowlers face the task of striking early to prevent New Zealand A from taking control of the match.