Last Updated on 12 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey

India A recovered from a shaky start to end the first day of the second unofficial Test against New Zealand A at 291/7 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Devdutt Padikkal struck 80 and captain Dhruv Jurel remained unbeaten on 99 as the visitors recovered from losing three wickets in the first session.

New Zealand A made an early statement after opting to bowl in helpful conditions. Fraser Sheat got the breakthrough in the first over trapping Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw for a duck off four balls. Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal then stitched together a 91-run stand for the second wicket to repair the innings. Sudharsan was comfortable in his 41 off 63 balls before Jarrod McKay had Mitchell Hay catch him just after lunch.

Dhruv Jurel leads India A to a strong finish

New Zealand A made an early statement after opting to bowl in helpful conditions. Fraser Sheat got the breakthrough in the first over trapping Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw for a duck off four balls.

Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal then stitched together a 91-run stand for the second wicket to repair the innings. Sudharsan was comfortable in his 41 off 63 balls before Jarrod McKay had Mitchell Hay catch him just after lunch.

Brett Randell bowled Yash Rathod for 13, leaving India A at 131 for three. Padikkal continued to hold the innings together and brought up a well made half-century with the help of 12 boundaries. He was out for 80, bowled by Sheat, leaving India A at 137/4.

Sheat further pushed the visitors by removing Smaran Ravichandran for a duck and Washington Sundar for eight. Both batsmen were leg before as India A fell to 160 for 6.

Then Jurel took charge of the recovery. He added 62 for the opening stand with Manav Suthar, who scored 22, and then put on an unbroken stand of 69 for the second wicket with Akash Deep. Jurel was not out on 99 at the close of play and Akash provided good support as India scored in excess of 250 and ended the day on 291/7.

Sheat was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand A with 4/50 from 19 overs. Randell, McKay and Jayden Lennox each took a wicket. When play resumes, India A will hope to build on Jurel’s unbeaten knock and drive toward a strong first innings total.