Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan Rescue India A After Another Top-Order Collapse Against New Zealand

File image of Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal© X (Formerly Twitter)

Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan batted resolutely to guide India A to 106/2 in their second innings after another disappointing show by the openers on the second day of the four-day unofficial Test against New Zealand A on Sunday. For the second time in the match, openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul failed with the bat, leaving India A reeling at 10/2 in the second innings before Padikkal (56 not out off 89 balls) and Sudharsan (39 not out off 104 balls) joined forces to stabilise the innings with an unbeaten 96-run stand for the third wicket. India A, who were dismissed for a modest 113 in the first innings, now trail New Zealand A by 98 runs with two days of play remaining, with Padikkal and Sudharsan well set at the crease.

Padikkal was the aggressor in the partnership, striking nine boundaries, while Sudharsan played the supporting role, hitting five fours during his unbeaten knock.

Batting at No. 3, Padikkal was also the most successful specialist batter for India A in the first innings, scoring 32 off 77 balls and spending nearly two hours at the crease.

On Monday, Padikkal and Sudharsan will look to continue in the same vein and build on their partnership to help India A set New Zealand A a challenging target.

The hosts will also seek meaningful contributions from skipper Dhruv Jurel, Yas Rathod and Washington Sundar.

Earlier, resuming at 135/3, New Zealand A were bowled out for 317 in 89.3 overs.

Skipper Rhys Mariu top-scored with a patient 76 off 137 balls, while Dean Foxcroft made 51. Opener Curtis Heaphy (44), Kristian Clarke (42) and wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay (24) were the other notable contributors.

India's bowlers lacked discipline, conceding 46 extras.

The pace duo of Anshul Kamboj (3/52) and Auqib Nabi (3/69) shared six wickets between them, while Akash Deep claimed two wickets. Mukesh Choudhary (1/67) and Washington Sundar (1/29) picked up one wicket each as New Zealand A secured a sizeable first-innings lead of 204 runs.

Brief Scores

India A: 113 & 106/2 in 36 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 56*, Sai Sudharsan 39*; Simon Keene 1/19, Fraser Sheat 1/26)

New Zealand A (overnight 135/3): 317 all out in 89.3 overs (Rhys Mariu 76, Dean Foxcroft 51; Anshul Kamboj 3/52, Auqib Nabi 3/69)

India A trail by 98 runs.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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