CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: The first unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A ended in a draw after a thrilling finish. The Indian team was just one wicket away from victory, but play had to be stopped because of bad light. The match could not resume within the scheduled time, and New Zealand A managed to avoid defeat.
After falling behind in the first innings, India A made a strong comeback. India A had a very poor start in the match and were bowled out for just 113 in the first innings. In reply, New Zealand A scored 317 and took a 204-run lead. Indian batters then produced an excellent performance in the second innings and changed the course of the match. Devdutt Padikkal played a brilliant innings of 199 off 248 balls. He missed a double century by just one run. Sai Sudharsan supported him well with 91 and Yash Rathod made 66, while Washington Sundar contributed 52. India A’s second innings ended at 516, setting New Zealand A a target of 313 to win.
Indian bowlers kept searching for the final wicket. Chasing the target, New Zealand A came under pressure against the Indian attack. Aaqib Nabi took three wickets in the second innings and shook the batting line-up. Indian bowlers struck at regular intervals and reduced New Zealand A to 187 for nine. The responsibility of saving New Zealand A from defeat fell on Curtis Heaphy and last batter Jayden Lennox. Heaphy remained unbeaten on 90. India needed just one wicket to win, but bad light halted the excitement of the contest. Eventually, the first unofficial Test was declared drawn.
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