Lincoln, November 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India A strengthened their position in the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A after declaring their first innings at 464/5 on the second day at Bert Sutcliffe Oval on Sunday. Dhruv Jurel, Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar scored half-centuries as the visitors built a commanding 428-run lead.
Resuming at 227/2, India A added 237 runs before declaring with around an hour remaining in the day’s play. New Zealand A struggled in response and finished at 36/2, still trailing by 428 runs.
Jurel provided an attacking start, particularly against the short-pitched bowling, and scored 71 before pulling a delivery from Darun Ferns to deep backward square leg. Sai Sudharsan, who had resumed alongside Jurel, made 88 before Zak Gibson bowled him with a full delivery that moved back into the batter.
Ravindra Jadeja contributed 25 before edging to first slip. Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar then added an unbeaten 114-run partnership, with Tilak finishing on 81 not out and Washington reaching 50 not out before the declaration.
New Zealand A’s bowling options were affected by injuries, with Ferns experiencing back trouble and Jarrod McKay unable to bowl because of a side strain. The hosts used nine different bowling options but managed only one wicket after Jurel’s dismissal.
The hosts suffered an early setback in their reply as Prasidh Krishna dismissed Rhys Mariu for a duck and trapped Curtis Heaphy leg-before for 19. Dean Foxcroft and Zak Gibson survived the remaining deliveries to take New Zealand A to 36/2 at stumps.
Brief Scores: India A 464/5 declared (Yashasvi Jaiswal 102, Sai Sudharsan 88, Tilak Varma 81 not out, Dhruv Jurel 71, Washington Sundar 50 not out; Zak Gibson 2/73) lead New Zealand A 36/2 (Curtis Heaphy 19, Dean Foxcroft 10 not out; Prasidh Krishna 2/12) by 428 runs.
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