Devdutt Padikkal racked up 199 to headline a remarkable turnaround for India A on Day 3 of the first unofficial Test against New Zealand A in Lincoln. The left-hander fell agonisingly short of a double-hundred after being adjudged caught behind in contentious circumstances, but his exploits put India A in a position to script a win against the odds, with the lead now standing at 284. Resuming his innings on 56, Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan, who began the day on 39, resumed seamlessly despite a strong wind blowing across from one side of the ground. The latter brought up his fifty and the runs came at quick pace, with both batters cashing in on any scoring opportunity. New Zealand A were dealt a major blow with the injured Simon Keene, who picked up five wickets in the first innings, not taking the field while the rest of the attack failed to keep the scoring rate in check. While Sudharsan batted steadily, Padikkal scored his runs briskly, before reaching his 12th first-class ton in style with a six off Jayden Lennox. The duo motored along, taking India A into the lead and their partnership beyond 200. Sudharsan pocketed a couple of boundaries in the 80s but both batters showed some discomfort against the short ball. The ploy eventually worked for New Zealand A as Sudharsan got a top-edge to the fielder stationed behind square, falling for 91. The short ball also did captain Dhruv Jurel in as he fell for 2 shortly after Lunch, but Padikkal continued to hold fort with Yash Rathod also starting positively. There was an evident strategy to score quickly off Lennox before the second new ball was due, with both left-handers milking singles and going after him for boundaries. A 15-run over swung momentum India A’s way again, this time for good, while Padikkal soon got to 150. A tired New Zealand attack had no answers even with the strong wind as Rathod reeled off two fours and a six off Kristian Clarke to race to a 54-ball fifty. A contentious moment then saw Padikkal given out caught down the leg-side on 199, before he gestured to the umpire over an apparent gap between bat and ball. Rathod fell in the first over after Tea, but it was the lower order’s turn to frustrate the hosts. Anshul Kamboj picked up four boundaries after a slow start, but his stay was cut to 22. Washington Sundar, who had begun well, carried on with Auqib Nabi for a 69-run partnership. While Nabi was dismissed for 38 – a knock which included three fours and two sixes – Sundar ended the day unbeaten on 51 before the fading light forced Stumps nine minutes into the extra half hour. With India A’s lead at 284, it remains to be seen if they declare overnight or give themselves three complete sessions to have a crack at the New Zealand A batting on the final day. Brief Scores: India A 113 & 488/8 (Devdutt Padikkal 199, Sai Sudharsan 91, Yash Rathod 66, Washington Sundar 51*; Zak Gibson 2-58) lead New Zealand A 317, by 284 runs.
