1st Unofficial Test: Padikkal saves India after Jaiswal, KL Rahul fails again

Brief Score: India A (113, 106/) trailing New Zealand A (317) by 98 runs. (Padikkal 56*; Keene 1/19, Sheath 1/26).

Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan pulled India A level after another disappointment for openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul left the visitors in trouble on Day 2 of the first unofficial Test against New Zealand A. The pair put together an unbeaten 96-run stand for the third wicket to help India A reach 106 for the 2nd away. 98 runs.

New Zealand A dominated much of the day after going on to 135 for 3 and posting 317 all out in 89.3 overs in response to India’s total of 113 runs. The hosts secured a sizeable lead of 204 runs before their bowlers struck twice at the start of India’s second innings, putting the visitors under pressure again.

Jaiswal and Rahul had little time to equalize after India A started the second innings late in the second session. Jaiswal was dismissed for a duck in the opening overs while Rahul’s innings ended in unusual fashion as India A slumped to 10 for 2.

Zak Gibson removed Jaiswal with a sharp delivery aimed at his left shoulder. The left-hander failed to get out of the way in time and the ball brushed his gloves before Matthew Boyle was caught at slip.

Rahul’s dismissal was more unfortunate. The right-hander, after hitting his first boundary after facing 11 deliveries, bowled the next ball towards his stumps. As he turned to keep the ball away, Rahul inadvertently hit the stumps with the bat and was bowled.

Unfortunate dismissal for KL Rahul Aravind (@TVFP2) October 25, 2026

PADIKKAL, SUDHARSAN STABILIZE INDIA A

With the first two wickets gone, Padikkal and Sudharsan combined to prevent another collapse. Padikkal remained unbeaten on 56 off 89 balls, hitting nine boundaries, while Sudharsan was unbeaten on 39 off 104 deliveries with five fours. Their partnership took India A to 106 for 2 after 36 overs, leaving the side with two days left of the four-day match.

Padikkal was also India’s most successful specialist batsman in the first innings, scoring 32 off 77 balls at No. 3. His ability to bide his time at the crease could prove vital as India attempt to erase the deficit and put the hosts under pressure.

The Karnataka batsman has been in strong red ball form in recent months. He was India’s leading batsman during the two-Test series in Sri Lanka in August and followed it up with a half-century against Australia A in Puducherry.

India A will need the partnership to continue on Monday, with captain Dhruv Jurel, Yas Rathod and Washington Sundar among those expected to contribute if the visitors are to build a competitive position in the match.

NEW ZEALAND BUILD A GREAT LEADERSHIP

Earlier in the day, New Zealand A turned their overnight stand of 135 for 3 into an impressive first innings 317. Captain Rhys Maria led the way with a patient 76 off 137 balls, while Dean Foxcroft scored 51. Opener Curtis Heaphy contributed 44, Kristian Clarke added 42 for Mitchell and Hawick wicketkeepers.

Indian bowlers shared the wickets but struggled to maintain discipline and conceded 46 runs in the extras. Anshul Kamboj and Auqib Nabi took three wickets apiece with Kamboj returning figures of 3 for 52 and Nabi taking 3 for 69. Akash Deep took two wickets while Mukesh Choudhary and Washington Sundar took one each.

Despite a late recovery from Padikkal and Sudharsan, India A remain trailing in the contest. Their immediate task on Day 3 will be to turn a promising third wicket into a substantial partnership and reduce the deficit before trying to set New Zealand A’s target.

– The end