Yashasvi Jaiswal and Yash Rathod scored brilliant unbeaten centuries on the fourth and final day to guide India A to a comfortable draw against New Zealand A in their four-day fixture. The visitors finished their second innings at 282 for 2, leading by 204 runs, before both captains agreed to shake hands shortly after tea.
- Match Outcome: The second four-day fixture between India A and New Zealand A officially ended in a draw after a dominant batting display.
- Unbeaten Stand: Yashasvi Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 155, while Yash Rathod scored 100 not out in a massive 247-run partnership.
- First-Innings Totals: New Zealand A had previously posted 424 runs, while India A replied with 346 in their first innings.
- Injury Blows: New Zealand A missed frontline quick Fraser Sheat and left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox due to side and hamstring strains respectively.
Morning Wobble and Recovery
India A experienced a nervous start to the final day after morning rain delayed proceedings by over 90 minutes. Facing testing conditions under overcast skies with strong winds, B Sai Sudharsan was dismissed early for 11 by Jarrod McKay. In the very next over, Devdutt Padikkal was bowled for a golden duck by Brett Randell, leaving India A struggling at a precarious juncture while still trailing by 43 runs. However, Jaiswal quickly turned the momentum by taking the attack to the bowling lineup. He walked down the track and swept aggressively, putting the pressure back on the hosts. Rathod settled in well at the other end, providing solid support and rotating the strike efficiently.
Dominant Partnerships and Declaration
The unbroken 247-run stand between Jaiswal and Rathod came at better than a run-a-ball, completely shutting down any chances of a New Zealand A victory. Jaiswal reached his century off just 119 balls, launching offspinner Dean Foxcroft for four sixes during a brutal assault. Rathod played a chanceless innings, sealing his 12th first-class century shortly after the tea break. With New Zealand A depleted by injuries to key bowlers Sheat and Lennox, the bowling attack lacked penetration, allowing the Indian batters to pile on the runs comfortably until both teams shook hands.
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