Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan led India A’s resistance with an unbeaten 96-run partnership for the third wicket against New Zealand A on Day 2 of the first four-day match.
At stumps on Day 2, India A were 106 for two in their second innings, trailing New Zealand A by 98 runs. The hosts had scored 317 in their first innings, establishing a lead of 204 runs after dismissing India A for 113 early in the match.
Padikkal was unbeaten on 56, while Sudharsan was 39 not out. The pair stabilised the innings after openers KL Rahul (4) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (5) were dismissed early as the score fell to 10 for two.
Earlier, New Zealand A resumed their innings at 135 for three and reached 317 before being bowled out. Rhys Mariu top-scored with 76, Dean Foxcroft made 51, Curtis Heaphy contributed 44, and Matthew Clarke added 42.
Anshul Kamboj took three wickets for India A, Auqib Nabi also claimed three, Akash Deep had two, and Washington Sundar took the wicket of Foxcroft.
On Day 1, New Zealand A dominated by bowling India A out for 113, with Simon Keene taking five wickets and Zak Gibson claiming three. Yash Rathod was the top scorer for India A with an unbeaten 44, while Padikkal scored 32.
In reply, Mariu scored 76 and shared a 132-run opening stand with Heaphy, who was unbeaten on 37 at the close of play on Day 1.
India A will look to build on the partnership between Padikkal and Sudharsan when play resumes on Day 3.