India A and New Zealand A Series Concludes in Draw After Final Test
Final Test Ends in Stalemate
The third and concluding unofficial Test match between India A and New Zealand A wrapped up in a draw, resulting in the series ending without a winner.
Throughout the three four-day matches, none produced a decisive outcome. By the conclusion of day four, New Zealand A was at 36 for 2, with Dean Foxcroft (10*) and Zak Gibson (1*) remaining at the crease, trailing by 428 runs.
New Zealand A opted to field first after winning the toss.
India made a strong start with a 175-run opening partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored 102 off 138 balls with 16 boundaries and two sixes, and Sai Sudharsan, who contributed 88 runs from 215 balls, hitting 11 fours.
Other notable contributions came from Tilak Varma (81 runs in 164 balls, including five fours and two sixes), captain Dhruv Jurel (71 runs off 95 balls with nine fours and two sixes), and Washington Sundar, who remained unbeaten on 50 from 107 balls, leading India to a total of 464 for 5.
Zak Gibson was the standout bowler for New Zealand A, taking 2 wickets for 73 runs.
India's batting performance bodes well ahead of the upcoming Test series starting on November 19. Devdutt Padikkal emerged as the top run-scorer with 326 runs across three matches and five innings, averaging 65.20, including one century and one fifty. Yashasvi Jaiswal also made a comeback with back-to-back centuries, accumulating 279 runs in three matches at an average of 69.75.
Sai Sudharsan (231 runs in three matches at an average of 46.20, with two fifties) and skipper Jurel (179 runs in four innings at an average of 44.75, featuring one century and one fifty) also made significant contributions. Uncapped player Yash Rathod impressed with 223 runs in two matches, averaging 111.50, including one century and one fifty.
For India, Auqib Nabi and Mohammed Siraj were the leading wicket-takers, with six and four wickets respectively in a match.
India's Test Squad for Upcoming Series
The Indian Test squad for the two-match series against New Zealand includes: Shubman Gill (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper), Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj.