Five batters bag ducks on opening day for India A

Only four batters reached double figures, while five bagged ducks, including KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar. Skipper Dhruv Jurel was dismissed for one off 13 as India A batted for just 39.3 overs to be bowled out for 113. Yash Rathod was the only one who could hold his own, remaining unbeaten on 44 off 49, with three fours and as many sixes, even as wickets fell all around him.

Apart from him, only Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal managed to spend some time in the middle, scoring 17 off 45 and 32 off 77, respectively. Anshul Kamboj was the other batter to reach double figures with 10 runs.

Interestingly, all of the top five batters, apart from Sai, were caught by the wicketkeeper or in the slips. Simon Keene was the wrecker-in-chief, picking up five wickets for just 24 runs. He dismissed Sai and Jurel before cleaning up the tail by sending back Auqib Nabi, Akash Deep and Mukesh Choudhary.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BLACKCAPS (@blackcapsnz)

Zak Gibson supported him well with three wickets, dismissing Jaiswal, Padikkal and Washington Sundar, while Fraser Sheat and Kristian Clarke scalped a wicket each.

In response, New Zealand A openers Rhys Mariu and Curtis Heaphy stitched 132 runs together as Indian bowlers struggled to make early inroads. However, Mukesh and Nabi plucked three wickets in seven deliveries close to stumps as the hosts finished the day at 135-3.

India have historically struggled in New Zealand in Tests

India’s batting struggles in New Zealand are well documented. They haven’t won a Test in the country since 2009, when they also last won a Test series in New Zealand. On their last tour to the country in 2020, India failed to cross the 250-run mark across four innings.

Overall, India have won only five out of 25 Tests in New Zealand, losing 10 and drawing as many. Since 1976, they have won only one Test in the country and the senior team will have to play out of their skin to improve the record.

Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.