Padikkal leads the way with 199 as India A go 284 runs ahead

Devdutt Padikkal led the way as India A, who had rolled over for 113 in their first innings of the first four-day game in Lincoln, ended the third day at 488 for 8 in their second innings for a lead of 284 over New Zealand A. While Padikkal hit 199, there were half-centuries from B Sai Sudharsan, Yash Rathod and Washington Sundar, which made the day go entirely the visitors' way.

The day started with India A on 106 for 2, still 98 behind. Padikkal, who resumed on 56, and Sai Sudharsan, who started with 39 against his name, went on to bat unseparated for the best part of the first session, adding 215 runs in 340 balls before Kristian Clarke got rid of Sai Sudharsan nine runs short of a century, the batter trying to pull a delivery from off stump but only sending a simple catch to square leg.

Dhruv Jurel came and went, adding 2 to the 1 he had scored in the first innings, but in Rathod, Padikkal had a solid partner that he ended up adding a-run-a-ball 142 runs with, both batters getting a move on in the hope of leaving enough overs for their bowlers to force a result in their favour.

The stand ended when Padikkal, with a double-century there for the taking, nicked a harmless-looking delivery from Zak Gibson down the leg side to Mitchell Hay behind the stumps. There was a noise as the ball passed the attempted glance and Padikkal looked shocked when the umpire's finger went up after a subdued appeal. Padikkal stood his ground for a while, but had to walk in the end.

When he had walked out, India A were 10 for 2 in the fifth over, and he needed to see the second day out. He did that. Then there was need for further consolidation on the third morning, and he did that too. At no stage did he really go into his shell, though.

The first century took him 128 balls, but was brought up with a six off Jayden Lennox's spin. He slowed down after that, needing 76 further balls to go from 100 to 150. But he sped up again after the milestone, taking risks - one nick even went past the cordon behind the wickets - and his 199, in the end, took just 248 balls, and was studded with 24 fours and three sixes.

Rathod, India A's top-scorer in the first innings with 44 not out, was worth 66 this time, and he was gutted with himself when he fell, nicking part-time spinner Dean Foxcroft behind to Hay while attempting a cut.

That left India A at 378 for 6, but they were far from done.

Washington has so far added 41 in 64 balls with Anshul Kamboj (23) for the seventh wicket, and 69 more in 106 balls with Auqib Nabi for the eighth. Washington will look to take the lead beyond 300 on the last morning and further, depending on how much India A feel secure with.