Padikkal century propels India A into a 102-run lead on Day 3 of unofficial Test
Devdutt Padikkal scored a century as India A moved into a 102-run lead on the second session of Day 3 of the four-day unofficial Test against New Zealand A on Sunday, reaching 306 for 4 in 78.3 overs after being bowled out for 113 in their first innings. Padikkal was batting on 171 off 219 balls, with 21 fours and two sixes, as India A sought to extend their advantage.
New Zealand A posted 317 in their first innings before India A were dismissed for 113, giving the visitors an initial lead of 204 runs; Rhys Mariu top-scored for New Zealand A with 76 off 137 balls and Dean Foxcroft made 51. Anshul Kamboj took 3 for 52 and Auqib Nabi 3 for 69 as New Zealand A were bowled out in 89.3 overs, while India A conceded 46 extras in that innings.
India A’s second-innings recovery unfolded across the day as Padikkal and partners pushed the match position from trailing to leading: at 113 and 106 for 2 in 36 overs Padikkal was unbeaten on 56 and India A trailed by 98 overall; later the side reached 228 for 4 in 66 overs with Padikkal unbeaten on 118, putting India A ahead by 24; by 72.3 overs they were 267 for 4 with Padikkal on 144 and a 63-run lead; the score advanced to 306 for 4 in 78.3 overs with Padikkal on 171 and a 102-run lead.
Padikkal shared significant stands with Sai Sudharsan and Yash Rathod during the recovery, including an unbeaten 96-run partnership with Sudharsan on the second day that helped stabilize the innings after early setbacks. Sudharsan finished one of his earlier not-out contributions on 39 off 104 balls with five fours, while Rathod was unbeaten on 26 off 33 balls in later updates.
Dhruv Jurel fell for 2 when Zak Gibson’s short delivery climbed and induced a top edge, Jarrod McKay completing the catch at backward square leg; the dismissal was recorded as Dhruv Jurel c (sub) Jarrod McKay b Zak Gibson 2 (12) and came at 227 in 65.1 overs. Gibson’s figures at one point were 1 for 39 in 12 overs, including three maidens, while Jayden Lennox at another update had conceded 38 runs in seven overs without a wicket.
India A’s batting showed contrasts between innings: Padikkal had been India A’s best-performing specialist batter in the first innings with 32 off 77 balls, and earlier second-innings contributions included Padikkal’s 56 not out and Sudharsan’s 39 not out that took the total to 106 for 2 at stumps on an earlier day. The team had lost openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul early in the second innings and recovered through measured partnerships.
Play is set to continue on Monday with Devdutt Padikkal and Yash Rathod at the crease as India A look to build a larger second-innings total and press the advantage established during Day 3.