Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan steady India A after top-order collapse
Padikkal and Sudharsan add 96 runs as India A reach 106 for two after Jaiswal and Rahul fail again against New Zealand A.
Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan added an unbeaten 96-run partnership to guide India A to 106 for two in their second innings on day two of the first unofficial Test against New Zealand A in Lincoln. India A trail the hosts by 98 runs after being bowled out for 113 in their first innings.
Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for five and KL Rahul made four in another top-order failure. Jaiswal was caught at slip off Simon Keene while Rahul was out hit-wicket after inside-edging Fraser Sheat onto his stumps.
Padikkal remained unbeaten on 56 off 89 balls with nine boundaries, while Sudharsan scored 39 not out from 104 deliveries. New Zealand A scored 317 in their first innings with Rhys Mariu making 76 and Dean Foxcroft scoring 51. Anshul Kamboj and Auqib Nabi took three wickets each for India A.
CricHubb Take
India A's top-order struggles in red-ball cricket mirror a pattern that has persisted across formats. The middle order's ability to stabilise situations offers some comfort, but consistent opening partnerships remain elusive.