Padikkal, Sudharsan lead India A’s fightback against New Zealand A on Day 2

Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan led India A's fightback against New Zealand A with an unbeaten 96-run partnership for the third wicket on the second day of the opening four-day unofficial Test at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln on Sunday. The visitors reached 106 for two in their second innings at stumps after another disappointing performance from openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, but still trailed the hosts by 98 runs.

Padikkal remained unbeaten on 56 off 89 deliveries, striking nine boundaries, while Sudharsan contributed a patient 39 not out from 104 balls, including five fours. Their partnership helped India A recover from a precarious 10 for two after New Zealand A had posted 317 in their first innings to secure a substantial 204-run advantage.

The recovery provided some relief for the Indian camp after a difficult opening two days, during which the visitors were dismissed for just 113 in their first innings before allowing New Zealand A to establish control of the contest.

𝗥𝗮𝗵𝘂𝗹, 𝗝𝗮𝗶𝘀𝘄𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻

India A's second innings began on a disappointing note as Rahul and Jaiswal failed to make meaningful contributions for the second successive time in the match.

Jaiswal was dismissed for five after struggling against a short delivery from Simon Keene. The left-handed opener was unable to evade the rising ball, which brushed his glove before the catch was completed.

Rahul, meanwhile, suffered an unusual dismissal after scoring four runs. The experienced batter attempted to prevent the ball from rolling onto his stumps but inadvertently disturbed the wicket with his bat, resulting in a hit-wicket dismissal off Fraser Sheat.

The two early wickets left India A struggling at 10 for two and raised the possibility of another batting collapse.

The opening pair had also failed in the first innings, with Jaiswal scoring 17 and Rahul departing without opening his account.

Their repeated failures have attracted attention as both players prepare for India's upcoming international Test assignments.

𝗣𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗸𝗸𝗮𝗹, 𝗦𝘂𝗱𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀

With India A facing a substantial deficit, Padikkal and Sudharsan adopted a measured approach to rebuild the innings.

Padikkal took the more attacking role, finding boundaries regularly while maintaining control against the New Zealand A pace attack. The Karnataka left-hander survived an early chance when he was dropped in the slips, but capitalised on the reprieve to complete his half-century.

He reached his fifty in 65 deliveries and continued to build his innings as India A gradually reduced the deficit.

Sudharsan provided valuable support at the other end, showing patience and concentration while rotating the strike and avoiding unnecessary risks.

The pair added 96 runs without further loss, ensuring India A finished the day with eight wickets intact.

Padikkal had also been one of India's better performers in the first innings, scoring 32 off 77 balls when most of the specialist batters struggled against the home side's bowling attack.

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗭𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝟯𝟭𝟳

Earlier, New Zealand A resumed their first innings at 135 for three and extended their total to 317 in 89.3 overs, taking a commanding lead of 204 runs.

Captain Rhys Mariu, who had scored 76 off 137 balls on the opening day, remained the hosts' highest run-scorer.

Dean Foxcroft made an important contribution of 51, while opener Curtis Heaphy scored 44. Wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay added 24 as the home side continued to consolidate its position.

India A briefly threatened to restrict New Zealand A to a smaller total when pacer Anshul Kamboj struck repeatedly, reducing the hosts to 218 for seven.

However, the lower order offered considerable resistance.

Kristian Clarke played an aggressive innings of 42, adding valuable runs with Fraser Sheat and Zak Gibson to push New Zealand A beyond the 300-run mark.

The lower-order contributions proved particularly important after India A had managed only 113 in their first innings.

The Indian bowlers also conceded 46 extras, further increasing the hosts' advantage.

𝗞𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗼𝗷, 𝗡𝗮𝗯𝗶 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵

Anshul Kamboj and Auqib Nabi emerged as India A's leading wicket-takers, claiming three wickets apiece.

Kamboj returned figures of three for 52, while Nabi finished with three for 69. Akash Deep picked up two wickets, and Mukesh Choudhary and Washington Sundar claimed one each.

Despite the wickets, India A struggled to contain the New Zealand A batters, particularly during the latter stages of the innings.

The hosts' total of 317 placed the visitors under considerable pressure, especially after their top order failed again in the second innings.

Simon Keene and Fraser Sheat were responsible for the two early wickets, finishing the day with figures of one for 19 and one for 26, respectively.

𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗔 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗱𝗮𝘆

With two days remaining in the four-day contest, India A will look to Padikkal and Sudharsan to extend their partnership and erase the remaining 98-run deficit.

The visitors will also need substantial contributions from captain Dhruv Jurel, Yash Rathod and Washington Sundar if they are to establish a challenging target for New Zealand A.

Although the unbeaten third-wicket stand has prevented another collapse, the hosts remain in a strong position after dominating the first innings.

India A's immediate priority will be to bat through a significant portion of the third day and build a lead that gives their bowlers an opportunity to influence the outcome.

Brief scores: India A 113 and 106/2 in 36 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 56 not out, Sai Sudharsan 39 not out; Simon Keene 1/19, Fraser Sheat 1/26) trail New Zealand A 317 in 89.3 overs (Rhys Mariu 76, Dean Foxcroft 51; Anshul Kamboj 3/52, Auqib Nabi 3/69) by 98 runs.