KL Rahul, Jaiswal Fail As New Zealand A Bowl Out India A For 113

India A endured a difficult opening day against New Zealand A in the first unofficial Test at Lincoln on Saturday. The visitors managed only 113 runs after the hosts won the toss and elected to field on a green surface.

Simon Keene led the bowling attack with five wickets for 24 runs, while Zak Gibson claimed three for 29. India’s top order struggled to cope with the movement and sustained pressure.

KL Rahul departed without scoring after chasing a delivery outside off stump. Yashasvi Jaiswal made 17 before edging behind to first slip. Keene then dismissed Sai Sudharsan for a duck and captain Dhruv Jurel for one.

Devdutt Padikkal provided some stability with 32 runs but fell shortly after lunch, leaving India A at 56/5. Washington Sundar also departed without scoring as the visitors slipped to 81/9.

Yash Rathod mounted a spirited counterattack to keep the innings alive. He struck three sixes and remained unbeaten on 44. Keene completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Mukesh Choudhary, ending India A’s innings in 39.2 overs.

New Zealand A began cautiously before Curtis Heaphy and captain Rhys Mariu built a strong opening partnership. Mariu benefited from a dropped catch by Jaiswal before reaching 76.

Mukesh Choudhary eventually dismissed Mariu leg before wicket. Auqib Nabi then removed night watchman Jayden Lennox and Tim Robinson in consecutive deliveries, leaving himself one wicket short of a hat-trick.

New Zealand A finished the day at 135/3, leading by 22 runs. Heaphy remained unbeaten on 37.

Brief Scores: India A 113 (Yash Rathod 44*, Devdutt Padikkal 32; Simon Keene 5/24, Zak Gibson 3/29); New Zealand A 135/3 (Rhys Mariu 76, Curtis Heaphy 37*; Auqib Nabi 2/31, Mukesh Choudhary 1/30).

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