IND A vs NZ A: Man on scooter stops play, leaves cricketers divided

A man on a scooter briefly stopped play during India A’s unofficial second Test against New Zealand A in Christchurch on Saturday 31 October, leaving players and commentators amused by the unexpected interruption.

The incident happened late on Day 1 at Hagley Oval as New Zealand pacer Brett Randell was preparing for his 83rd over. Randell had to break out of his run-up after India batsman Akash Deep asked him to stop when he spotted a man riding a scooter on the ground in front of the screen.

The pitcher turned around, seemingly unsure of what had prompted the interruption, before the situation became clear. An elderly man was making his way around the ground on his scooter, apparently looking for a suitable spot to watch the last few broadcasts of today’s game.

They see me rolling… via @blackcaps Cricket District (@cricketdistrict) 31 October 2026

Akash Deep ensured that the bowler waited until the man was safely over and stopped the action briefly. The unusual sight amused the Indian players while the commentators also laughed at the incident and jokingly congratulated the man for finding one of the best places to watch the game.

Hagley Oval is known for its picturesque setting with open green spaces beyond the boundary where spectators can sit and enjoy the cricket. However, a spectator moving around the ground on a scooter in the middle of the game was an unexpected sight for the visiting Indian contingent.

JUREL LEADS INDIA TO REVIVAL

India A captain Dhruv Jurel, sidelined by an unusual interruption, produced a resilient unbeaten 99 to guide his side to 291 for seven at stumps on the opening day of the second unofficial Test.

India A looked well placed after a 91 opening partnership between Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan. Sudharsan scored 41 before falling to Jarrod McKay, while Padikkal made a half-century before his dismissal precipitated a dramatic collapse.

India A lost four wickets for just seven runs and slumped to 137 for five, with Yash Rathod, Padikkal and Ravichandran Smaran falling in quick succession. Washington Sundar also departed cheaply, leaving Jurel the task of rebuilding the innings.

The captain found support from Manav Suthar as the pair added 62 runs for the seventh wicket. Suthar contributed 22 before being dismissed, but Jurel kicked into gear in the last over to take on McKay at four, six and four.

Akash Deep then joined Jurel to help India A complete the day without losing another wicket. The pair put on an unbeaten 69-run stand for the eighth wicket, with Akash Deep on 25 and Jurel stranded just one run short of a century on 99 off 155 balls.

After a batting collapse threatened to spoil their promising start, Jurel’s innings gave India A a strong platform heading into the second day.

– The end