The first unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A ended in a draw on Tuesday, with bad light and a resolute last-wicket partnership between Curtis Heaphy and Jayden Lennox denying the visitors a famous win. Heaphy remained unbeaten on 90, holding the New Zealand A innings together as the umpires eventually took the players off the field with 18 overs still remaining in the day. India A, captained by Dhruv Jurel, had set New Zealand A a target of 313 runs after being dismissed for 516 in their second innings.
Devdutt Padikkal was the standout performer with the bat, compiling 199 in that second innings. He also chipped in with two wickets in the final innings, making it a remarkable all-round display. Auqib Nabi, the pacer from Jammu & Kashmir, was equally impressive with the ball, finishing with 3 for 28 in the second innings as he troubled the New Zealand A top order consistently.
How did the final day unfold?
Contrary to expectations, India A did not declare overnight. Washington Sundar and Akash Deep came out to bat on the morning of Day 4, and New Zealand A needed just 25 deliveries to dismiss the pair. Sundar fell for 52 and Mukesh Choudhary contributed 2, leaving India dismissed for 516 and New Zealand A chasing 313.
Nabi gave India A the ideal start in the chase, removing Rhys Mariu for 2, Tim Robinson for 0 and Matthew Boyle for 4 in quick succession. New Zealand A were in serious trouble early in the final session. Heaphy and Dean Foxcroft then steadied the innings with a fourth-wicket stand of 78, but Choudhary dismissed Foxcroft for 42, reducing New Zealand A to 91 for 4 with plenty of time still left.
India A continued to take wickets at regular intervals. Anshul Kamboj, Akash Deep and Washington Sundar each claimed one wicket. Padikkal returned to account for Fraser Sheat, who made 11, and Zak Gibson, who was dismissed for 0. New Zealand A were eventually reduced to 170 for 9, with Heaphy carrying the hopes of the hosts. Lennox joined him at the crease and the pair frustrated the Indian bowlers long enough for bad light to intervene, bringing the match to a close as a draw.
What does this performance mean for Auqib Nabi's prospects?
Nabi's three-wicket haul in the second innings has drawn significant attention. The Baramulla pacer is not currently part of India's Test squad for the two-match series against New Zealand, but his showing in this unofficial fixture could prompt the team management to reconsider their plans.
Bowling coach Morne Morkel had, ahead of the third T20I against New Zealand, hinted that some bowlers might be asked to stay back. Nabi's ability to exploit the pitch and trouble the top order in this match adds weight to that possibility.
Meanwhile, Padikkal's 199 was the centrepiece of India A's second innings total of 516, which also featured Washington Sundar's 52. In the first innings, India A had been bundled out for just 113, with Simon Keene claiming 5 for 24 and Y Rathod top-scoring with 44. New Zealand A's first innings reply of 317 included 76 from Rhys Mariu, with Anshul Kamboj taking 3 for 52.
