Christchurch, 31 October (H.S.): India A reached 291 for seven at stumps on the opening day of the second unofficial Test against New Zealand A, powered by impressive knocks from Dhruv Jurel and Devdutt Padikkal. At the close of play on Saturday at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, skipper Jurel remained unbeaten on 99, just one run short of a century, while Padikkal contributed a valuable 80.

After winning the toss, New Zealand A elected to bowl and made an immediate breakthrough in the opening over. Fraser Sheat dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal for a four-ball duck, trapping the opener leg before wicket. Sai Sudharsan and Padikkal then steadied the innings, putting together a 91-run partnership for the second wicket to recover from the early setback. India A went into lunch at 87 for one.

New Zealand A struck again in the second over after the interval when Jarrod McKay had Sudharsan caught by Mitchell Hay, ending the partnership. Sudharsan scored 41 off 63 deliveries. Yash Rathod, who came in at No. 4, managed 13 before being caught by Hay off Brett Randell’s bowling. India A were 131 for three at that stage.

Padikkal held one end firmly and brought up his half-century, striking 12 boundaries in his innings. However, his stay ended at 80 when he was bowled by Sheat. The New Zealand pacer then delivered two successive blows to put India A under further pressure. He dismissed Smaran Ravichandran for a duck and trapped Washington Sundar leg before wicket for eight, reducing India A to 160 for six.

With the innings in danger of collapsing, Jurel took charge and began rebuilding alongside the lower-order batters. He added 62 runs for the seventh wicket with Manav Suthar, who contributed 22. Jurel then joined Akash Deep, and the pair put together an unbeaten 69-run stand for the eighth wicket before stumps were drawn.

Jurel remained unbeaten on 99, within touching distance of a well-deserved century, while Akash Deep was at the other end, providing valuable support.

For New Zealand A, Fraser Sheat was the most successful bowler, claiming four wickets for 50 runs in 19 overs. Brett Randell, Jarrod McKay and Jayden Lennox picked up one wicket each.

Brief Scores: India A 291/7 in the first innings (Dhruv Jurel 99 not out, Devdutt Padikkal 80; Fraser Sheat 4/50) against New Zealand A.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar