Devdutt Padikkal dismisses New Zealand all-rounder to claim maiden first-class wicket in NZ-A vs IND-A 2026 1st Test

Star batter Devdutt Padikkal shone with the ball in the first unofficial Test between New Zealand A and India A. The game, played at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, ended in a draw on the final day.

India A needed just one more wicket for victory, but New Zealand A managed to fight and draw the game, ending on 187/9 in the second innings. In the 44th over, Devdutt Padikkal, who bowls right-arm off-spin, struck on the final ball to claim his maiden first-class wicket. He dismissed all-rounder Fraser Sheat for 11 runs off 22 balls. He bowled a fuller delivery that did not turn and went straight. Sheat played for the turn and ended up getting an outside edge to KL Rahul at first slip, who took a sharp, low catch to complete the dismissal.

Padikkal struck once again and ended the game with two wickets. On the penultimate ball of the 48th over, he got the better of Zak Gibson. He once again bowled a full delivery that angled across the right-hander. Gibson probed forward but ended up getting an outside edge. Once again, it was KL Rahul at first slip who took the catch.

Devdutt Padikkal shines with all-round performance

Devdutt Padikkal made a massive contribution in the game with both bat and ball. He looked good in the first innings and scored 32 runs off 77 balls, failing to convert the start into a big score.

However, in the second innings, he put up a brilliant display with the bat, scoring a big hundred. He was close to a double hundred as well but agonisingly fell short. Padikkal was dismissed on 199 off 248 balls. His knock included 24 fours and three sixes. Overall, he ended the game with 231 runs and two wickets to his name. He will be keen to carry his form into the second game as well and present a strong case for the upcoming Test series.

India will play two Tests against New Zealand in their multi-format tour, with the first Test beginning on November 19. Devdutt Padikkal will aim to seal the number three spot for himself.

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