Padikkal scores 199 as India A draw with New Zealand A
Devdutt Padikkal's 199 and Auqib Nabi's six wickets put India A on course for victory before bad light forced a draw.
Devdutt Padikkal scored 199 for India A before bad light ended play on the fourth day in Lincoln on Tuesday, leaving the first unofficial Test drawn with New Zealand A at 187 for nine while chasing 313. Auqib Nabi took three wickets in the second innings and Padikkal claimed two as India A came within one wicket of victory with 18 overs remaining.
India A recovered from a first-innings total of 113 to post 516 in their second innings. Sai Sudharsan made 91, Yash Rathod scored 66 and Washington Sundar added 52. Padikkal fell one run short of a double century when given out caught behind, a decision he questioned on the field. New Zealand A had earlier scored 317 in their first innings, led by Rhys Mariu's 76.
The second unofficial Test begins on Saturday at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Padikkal, preparing for India's Test series against New Zealand, said he had worked on playing the ball late and adapting to swing during his preparation in India.
CricHubb Take
Padikkal's return to form away from home comes at the right moment for India's Test squad planning, but his run-out on 199 also highlights how fine margins still separate recognition from near-misses in A-team cricket.