Devdutt Padikkal, Auqib Nabi Shine But Bad Light Robs India A Of Win Over New Zealand A

India A came close to a remarkable comeback in the first unofficial Test against New Zealand A after being bundled out for 113 in the first innings, but bad light denied them a win on Tuesday, October 27, in Lincoln, according to India Today. The match went down to the final session before the hosts walked away with a draw, all thanks to bad light and Curtis Heaphy’s gritty unbeaten 90, Hindustan Times reported. India Today said bad light brought the contest to a premature close with New Zealand A left with one wicket in hand after Akash Deep struck in the final session, and their last-wicket pair held firm for nearly 10 overs before the fading light stopped play.

India A’s recovery and key performances

India A, led by Dhruv Jurel, recovered from 113 all out in the first innings to post 516 in the second innings, Hindustan Times reported. Devdutt Padikkal was the standout batter, scoring 199 in the second innings and taking two wickets in the final innings, with the report noting his run of scores away from home will please him greatly. Auqib Nabi took three wickets in the second innings, exploiting the pitch well and landing the ball in the right areas as the New Zealand A top order struggled. India A were dismissed for 516 after Washington Sundar (52) and Mukesh Choudhary (2) fell in 25 deliveries, setting New Zealand A a target of 313 runs.

New Zealand A’s chase and the draw

Auqib Nabi dismissed Rhys Mariu (2), Tim Robinson (0) and Matthew Boyle (4) in quick succession to give India A a strong start on the final day, Hindustan Times reported. Curtis Heaphy and Dean Foxcroft added 78 runs for the fourth wicket before Mukesh Choudhary removed Foxcroft (42), leaving New Zealand A at 91/4. Anshul Kamboj, Akash Deep and Washington Sundar each took one wicket, while Padikkal took two more, dismissing Fraser Sheat (11) and Zak Gibson (0). New Zealand A were left reeling at 170/9 with Heaphy leading the hopes of a draw. Jayden Lennox joined Heaphy, and the duo frustrated the Indians until bad light forced the umpires to take the players off with 18 overs still left in the day. With the clock ticking, there was not enough time to get back on the field, and the match ended in a draw. Brief scores were India A 113 (Y Rathod 44; S Keene 5/24) and 516 (D Padikkal 199; Z Gibson 3/80); New Zealand A 317 (R Mariu 76; A Kamboj 3/52) and 187/9 (C Heaphy 90; A Nabi 3/28).

Squad context and what happens next

Nabi is not part of the Test squad for the two matches against New Zealand, but Hindustan Times said this performance might make the management rethink their strategy. Ahead of the third T20I against New Zealand, bowling coach Morne Morkel had hinted towards asking some bowlers to stay back, according to Hindustan Times. Devdutt Padikkal is an Indian cricketer who plays for the Indian national team as a left-handed top order batter, represents Karnataka in domestic cricket and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League, according to Wikipedia. The second unofficial ‘A’ Test will start on October 31 at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch, NDTV Sports reported.

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Sources

• NDTV Sports

• Hindustan Times

• Photo: Anilsharma26, Pixabay Content License (Pixabay)