Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan held their nerve to put on an unbroken stand as India A posted a solid 106/2 at the end of Day Two of the four-day unofficial Test against New Zealand A on Sunday. The hosts, after a disastrous start to the game where they were bowled out for just 113 in their first innings, suffered yet another batting collapse.

After their opening pair Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul failed for the second time in the match, the team were in trouble at 10/2. However, Padikkal (56 not out from 89 balls) and Sudharsan (39 from 104) formed an unbroken third-wicket stand of 96 to help their side recover.

Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan Lead India A's Fightback

Padikkal adopted an aggressive approach to score nine boundaries in his half-century while Sudharsan was more restrained hitting five boundaries. The duo helped India A bounce back from the early loss to build new hopes of cutting into New Zealand's deficit.

The opener had previously been India's best specialist batsman in the first innings, notching up a composed 32 from 77 balls in his third wicket. He batted for almost two hours.

The pair will seek to build on their partnership on Monday with two days to play.

New Zealand A have a huge first innings lead to overcome and captain Dhruv Jurel, Yas Rathod and Washington Sundar will also be expected to step in.
New Zealand A 204-run first innings lead
New Zealand A continued their first innings from 135/3 earlier in the day to total 317 all out from 89.3 overs to take a commanding 204-run lead.

Rhys Mariu led the charge, scoring a steady 76 from 137 balls while Dean Foxcroft chipped in with 51. Curtis Heaphy (opener) scored 44, and Kristian Clarke added 42. Wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay added a useful 24.

India A failed to keep their bowling tight, conceding 46 extras. Anshul Kamboj took 3/52 while Auqib Nabi took 3/69. Akash Deep took two wickets, and Mukesh Choudhary and Washington Sundar each took one.

Despite the efforts of the bowling attack, New Zealand A had a big lead to overcome. India A will need a good batting display from their unbeaten duo and lower middle order to prevent falling further behind.

India A vs New Zealand A scores

India A: 113 & 106/2 (36 ov) (Devdutt Padikkal 56, Sai Sudharsan 39; Simon Keene 1/19, Fraser Sheet 1/26).

New Zealand A: 317 all out (89.3 ov) (Rhys Mariu 76, Dean Foxcroft 51; Anshul Kamboj 3/52, Auqib Nabi 3/69).

India A are 98 runs behind New Zealand A.

India A are 98 runs behind New Zealand A.