India A Struggles As KL Rahul And Sai Sudharsan Fall Cheaply Against New Zealand A
India A struggled on day two of the unofficial Test against New Zealand A in Lincoln, dropping to 10 for 2 in their second innings after New Zealand A built a 204-run first-innings lead.
New Zealand A Establishes Control in Lincoln
New Zealand A seized firm control of the first four-day match on day two, stretching their advantage past the two-hundred-run mark. India A faced immediate pressure when openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal fell early in the second innings. Rahul was dismissed hit-wicket in the fifth over after an inside edge trickled toward the stumps. Jaiswal also fell cheaply, adding to a troubled scorecard.
Devdutt Padikkal and B Sai Sudharsan offered resistance through a third-wicket partnership. The pair put together 96 runs off 188 balls to stabilize the visitors. Stumps arrived with India A still trailing by 98 runs. Padikkal remained unbeaten on 56, while Sai Sudharsan finished the day on 39.
India A Top Order Struggles Against Simon Keene
KL Rahul managed an 8-ball duck in the first innings before scoring just 4 runs in the second. Yashasvi Jaiswal contributed 17 off 45 balls in the first innings and 5 in the second. B Sai Sudharsan fell for a 13-ball duck during the first-innings collapse.
| Player | First Innings | Second Innings |
|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 17 (45) | 5 (9) |
| KL Rahul | 0 (8) | 4 (15) |
| Devdutt Padikkal | 32 (77) | 56* (unbeaten) |
| B Sai Sudharsan | 0 (13) | 39* (unbeaten) |
| Dhruv Jurel | 1 (13) | DNB |
| Washington Sundar | 0 (6) | DNB |
Kiwi pacer Simon Keene dismantled the India A middle order on day one with immaculate seam presentation, claiming figures of 5 for 24. Dhruv Jurel and Washington Sundar departed quickly as India A slumped to 58 for 6. Yash Rathod launched a counter-offensive with a blistering 44 off 49 balls against Fraser Sheat and Simon Keene to push the total past the initial danger zone.
Upcoming Test Series Schedule in New Zealand
These matches serve as critical preparation for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand scheduled for late November 2026. Both Jaiswal and Rahul are expected to open the batting when the senior teams meet. The first Test is scheduled from Thursday, November 19 to Monday, November 23, 2026, at the Cello Basin Reserve in Wellington. The second Test will run from Friday, November 27 to Tuesday, December 1, 2026, at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Match broadcasts are available via the Sony Sports Network and SonyLIV in India, and Sky Sport in New Zealand.