Indian batter KL Rahul endured a disappointing outing in the first unofficial Test against New Zealand A at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval. After scoring a duck in the first innings, the right-hander managed just four runs off 15 balls before an unusual hit-wicket dismissal against fast bowler Fraser Sheat.

India A were bowled out for 113 in their first innings on a green pitch during the opening day (Saturday, October 24). New Zealand A responded with 317 runs to take a 204-run lead. Anshul Kamboj and Auqib Nabi picked up three wickets each. India A came under pressure to recover in their second innings.

KL Rahul's Bizarre Hit-Wicket Dismissal Against New Zealand A

KL Rahul's Last 5 innings in FC Cricket: -4(15) -0(8) -1(20) -4(11) -18(33) How he keeps getting chances in the Indian Test side with an average of just 35 is beyond me. 🤔 https://t.co/lx0V8nmmx9

— ONE7 (@17pixles) October 25, 2026

In the fifth over of India's second innings, Fraser Sheat bowled a good-length delivery outside the off stump. KL Rahul leaned forward and defended it with soft hands, but the ball dropped onto the pitch and slowly rolled back towards his stumps.

Rahul tried to stop the ball with his bat but accidentally struck the off stump, dislodging the bails. Although the dismissal initially appeared to be bowled, side-on television replays showed that the ball was not heading towards the stumps.

The replays confirmed that he had dislodged the wicket with his bat while trying to keep the ball away. The right-hander immediately pointed his bat towards the umpire and non-striker Devdutt Padikkal to indicate what had happened.

Visibly frustrated, Rahul walked back to the pavilion after Sheat dismissed him for the second time in the match, leaving him with scores of zero and four.

Fraser Sheat Dismisses KL Rahul Twice as India A Collapse

KL Rahul's first-innings dismissal was also disappointing. Sheat bowled a delivery outside the off stump that moved away, tempting the opener into playing an expansive drive. Rahul went after it without sufficient footwork and edged the ball to wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay, who completed the catch.

He departed for a duck after facing eight deliveries as the visitors struggled against New Zealand A's seam attack and managed only 113 runs on the green surface.

Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 17 off 45 balls before edging Zak Gibson's delivery to the slip cordon. Padikkal offered some resistance with 32 off 77 deliveries, spending nearly two hours at the crease, while Yash Rathod remained unbeaten on 44 from the lower middle order.

New Zealand A's bowlers made the most of the conditions. Simon Keene claimed five wickets for 24 runs, while Gibson returned figures of 3/29 to dismantle the Indian batting lineup.

New Zealand A Take 204-Run Lead Ahead of India A's Next Fixtures

New Zealand A capitalised on their strong start to post 317 in the first innings and secure a 204-run advantage. Rhys Mariu and Curtis Heaphy added 132 runs for the opening wicket before Mukesh Choudhary dismissed Mariu for 76.

Auqib Nabi struck twice in successive deliveries to reduce the hosts to 135/3 at stumps on Day 1. On the second morning, Anshul Kamboj dismissed Heaphy and Matthew Boyle, while Akash Deep removed Mitchell Hay.

Dean Foxcroft led the lower-order fightback with a half-century before Washington Sundar dismissed him for 51. Kristian Clarke also offered resistance with a valuable 42, but Akash Deep ended his innings to claim another wicket.

The three-match unofficial Test series will continue with the second match starting on October 31. The third and final game is scheduled to begin on November 7, giving both teams further opportunities to prepare their players for higher-level assignments.

After the India A series, the senior Indian team will face New Zealand in a two-match Test series. The first Test is scheduled to begin in Wellington on November 19, while the second will start in Christchurch on November 27.