Inaugural Test Between India A and New Zealand A Ends in a Draw

India-A vs New Zealand-A 1st Test Match Highlights

The inaugural unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore ended up in a draw after both the teams exploited the conditions and scored piles of runs. Let us look at India-A vs New Zealand-A 1st Test Match Highlights in detail.

Abhimanyu Easwaran, Rajat Patidar, and Tilak Varma centuries, coupled with Mukesh Kumar’s five-wicket haul in the first innings, highlighted India A’s overwhelming performance in the drawn first unofficial Test against New Zealand A in Bengaluru.

Patidar led the way with 176 off 256 balls and was supported by Easwaran and Varma after Mukesh’s 5 for 86 to knock New Zealand A out for 400. After earning a 171-run lead on the fourth and final day, India A declared their first innings on 571 for 6. Kuldeep Yadav, a left-arm wristspinner, then struck again to dismiss Chad Bowes and Mark Chapman before the game was called off with the visitors on 133 for 4.

After opting to bat, New Zealand A’s first innings focused around Joe Carter’s career-best 197. With Mukesh as the wrecker-in-chief, none of the other batters could even reach fifty. The 28-year-old Bengal fast bowler, making his debut for India A, hit at regular intervals to finish with a five-wicket haul.

The Indian hitters then came out firing, with Easwaran and captain Priyank Panchal contributing 123 runs in 28.3 overs for the opening stand. Rachin Ravindra dismissed Panchal just before stumps for 47 on day two, but Easwaran went on to score his 16th first-class tonne on the third morning. He added 45 runs to his overnight score of 87 before succumbing to Michael Rippon’s left-arm wristspin.

Patidar finished the third day with 170 runs but could only add six more to his overnight total before succumbing to seamer Logan van Beek on the fourth morning. Varma, on the other hand, pushed on to record his first-class century. During his 183-ball121 innings, he struck nine fours and six sixes. His dismissal precipitated India’s declaration. Ravindra was New Zealand A’s standout bowler, taking 2 for 112 in 32 overs.

In their second innings, New Zealand A got off to a solid start, with Bowes and Ravindra putting on 51 runs for the first wicket. Kuldeep and Yash Dayal put the visitors on the back foot before the game ended in a tie.

The second informal Test between the two teams will be held in Hubbali on September 8.