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India A were bowled out for just 113 in 39.3 overs on the opening day of the first unofficial Test against New Zealand A at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Five Indian batters failed to score, while New Zealand A seamer Simon Keene led the attack with a five-wicket haul to expose the visitors’ batting fragility in local conditions.
Yash Rathod was India A’s top scorer with 44, and Devdutt Padikkal made 32 from 77 balls. But the rest of the line-up could not build meaningful partnerships, leaving India A with a modest first-innings total in a match intended to help players prepare for the senior team’s upcoming Test assignment in New Zealand.
The innings began poorly for India A, with several recognised batters unable to settle against New Zealand A’s bowling. KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan were among those dismissed for ducks, and the side’s total of 113 reflected how quickly the innings lost momentum. The five ducks also meant there was little support for the two batters who managed to spend time at the crease.
Padikkal’s 32 came from 77 deliveries and included five fours, offering some resistance through the middle order. His dismissal shortly after lunch further weakened India A’s attempt to recover. Rathod then provided the most substantial contribution, scoring 44 and taking the innings past the point where a total below 100 appeared possible.
Simon Keene was the standout bowler, taking five wickets as New Zealand A repeatedly found ways to break partnerships. Jack Gibson supported him with three wickets, while Fraser Sheat and Kristian Clarke claimed one apiece. The bowling performance was built around sustained pressure rather than allowing India A’s batters to turn starts into substantial scores.
New Zealand A’s return of five wickets for Keene and three for Gibson accounted for eight of India A’s dismissals. The remaining two wickets were shared between Sheat and Clarke. The figures underline the home side’s control of the innings and the difficulty India A experienced in adjusting to the conditions at Lincoln.
- 113 all out: India A’s first-innings total.
- 39.3 overs: The length of the innings.
- Five ducks: India A batters dismissed without scoring.
- 44 runs: Yash Rathod’s top score.
- 32 runs off 77 balls: Devdutt Padikkal’s contribution.
- Five wickets: Simon Keene’s haul for New Zealand A.
Rathod’s 44 made up close to 39 per cent of the team total, illustrating how heavily India A depended on one innings. Padikkal’s 32 was the only other contribution above 30, and his patient approach contrasted with the speed of the wickets falling at the other end.
The unofficial Test series gives senior and fringe players an opportunity to adapt to New Zealand’s red-ball conditions before the senior team’s two-Test series later in the tour. The India A squad includes players with international experience as well as those pressing for higher honours, making the matches important preparation rather than merely a developmental exercise.
The senior Test series is scheduled to begin in Wellington on November 19. For players such as Rahul, Jaiswal and Washington Sundar, time in the middle and exposure to the conditions are valuable. An early batting collapse is a setback, but the remainder of the four-day match offers a chance for India A to respond with the ball and assess what needs to improve before the next fixture.
The opening unofficial Test is scheduled for October 24–27 at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln. The second match is scheduled for October 31–November 3 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, followed by the third from November 7–10 back at Bert Sutcliffe Oval. Those matches form part of the build-up to the senior series and provide further opportunities for the batting group to adapt.
For now, India A’s first-innings 113 places the focus on how the side responds in the field and whether its batters can produce a more disciplined effort in subsequent innings. New Zealand A’s bowlers, led by Keene, have made the opening statement in the series.
