NEW DELHI: India A recovered from a difficult start to the match with three late wickets, but New Zealand A finished Day 1 of the first unofficial Test in a strong position at 135/3, leading by 22 runs.India A were bowled out for just 113 in their first innings after struggling against the New Zealand A pace attack. The hosts then built a solid opening partnership of 132 runs before Mukesh Choudhary dismissed captain Rhys Mariu for 76.Auqib Nabi struck twice in successive deliveries towards the end of the day to remove nightwatchman Jayden Lennox and Tim Robinson for ducks. His late strikes gave India A some momentum after a tough day with the ball.At stumps, Curtis Heaphy was unbeaten on 37, while Matthew Boyle was yet to score.
India A collapse for 113
India A struggled to build partnerships after being asked to bat in conditions that helped the fast bowlers. They lost KL Rahul for a duck early, and Yashasvi Jaiswal followed after scoring 17.Devdutt Padikkal offered some resistance with a 77-ball 32, but wickets continued to fall at the other end. Sai Sudharsan and captain Dhruv Jurel failed to make a significant contribution, while Washington Sundar was dismissed without scoring.Yash Rathod was the standout batter for India A. He remained unbeaten on 44 off 49 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes. However, he ran out of partners as India A were dismissed in 39.3 overs.Simon Keene led New Zealand A’s bowling effort with five wickets for 24 runs in 11.3 overs. Zak Gibson took three wickets for 29 runs, while Kristian Clarke and Fraser Sheat claimed one wicket each.
Mariu and Heaphy put New Zealand A in control
New Zealand A made a steady start to their reply, with Mariu and Heaphy showing patience against India’s pace attack.The openers put together a 132-run partnership. Mariu was the more attacking batter, scoring 76 off 137 balls with 12 fours, while Heaphy remained solid at the other end.The pair helped New Zealand A move past India’s total without losing a wicket. India A’s bowlers struggled to find a breakthrough for much of the innings, despite the efforts of Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Auqib Nabi and Mukesh Choudhary.
Mukesh and Nabi give India A late hope
Mukesh finally broke the opening stand when he trapped Mariu leg-before-wicket in the 39th over. The New Zealand A captain departed for 76, giving India A a much-needed breakthrough.Nabi then turned the closing stages of the day around with two wickets in two balls. He first bowled Lennox for a duck before trapping Robinson leg-before-wicket off the next delivery.The quick strikes left New Zealand A at 133/3, but Heaphy and Boyle survived the remaining deliveries to take the team to stumps at 135/3.India A will look to build on the late wickets when play resumes on Day 2. However, New Zealand A remain 22 runs ahead with seven wickets in hand.Day 1 scoresIndia A: 113 all out in 39.3 oversYash Rathod 44 not out, Devdutt Padikkal 32; Simon Keene 5/24, Zak Gibson 3/29.New Zealand A: 135/3 in 41 oversRhys Mariu 76, Curtis Heaphy 37 not out; Auqib Nabi 2 wickets, Mukesh Choudhary 1 wicket.New Zealand A lead by 22 runs.