Lincoln, 08 November (H.S.): Powered by a century from opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and half-centuries from Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar, India A declared their first innings at 464 for five on the second day of the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A. In reply, the hosts lost both their opening batters and finished the day at 36 for two in their first innings. Dean Foxcroft was unbeaten on 10, while Zak Gibson remained not out on one at stumps.

Resuming their innings at the overnight score of 227, India A continued their strong batting performance on the second day. Openers Sai Sudharsan and Dhruv Jurel carried on from where they had left off, adding valuable runs to the team's total. Sudharsan was dismissed for 88 after facing 255 deliveries. At the other end, Jurel reached his half-century with a boundary but was eventually dismissed for 71.

By lunch, Tilak Varma and Ravindra Jadeja had taken India A to 331 for four. After the interval, Jadeja departed for 25. Tilak and Washington Sundar then took charge, stitching together an important partnership and pushing the team's total beyond the 400-run mark.

During the partnership, Tilak brought up his half-century, while Washington also completed a valuable fifty. Their contributions helped India A reach 464 for five, at which point the visitors declared their first innings in the third session. Tilak remained unbeaten on 81, while Washington was not out on 50. On the opening day, Yashasvi Jaiswal had laid the foundation with a century, scoring 102 runs.

New Zealand A, however, made a poor start to their first innings. Prasidh Krishna gave India A their first breakthrough by bowling Rhys Mariu for a duck. He then struck again, trapping Curtis Heaphy leg before wicket for 19, leaving the hosts two wickets down.

At the close of play, Dean Foxcroft was batting on 10 and Zak Gibson on one. New Zealand A had reached 36 for two in their first innings and remained 428 runs behind India A's total.

India are using this unofficial series to prepare for their upcoming Test series against New Zealand. The two-match Test series between the two sides is scheduled to begin on November 19.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar