Jaiswal, Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan get into the groove in drawn 'A' series
The third and fourth days of the final four-day match between New Zealand A and India A was washed out as well, the series finishing 0-0
India A 464 for 5 dec (Jaiswal 102, Sai Sudharsan 88, Tilak Varma 81, Jurel 71, Washington 50*, Gibson 2‑73) drew with New Zealand A 36 for 2 (Prasidh 2‑12)
The covers were off briefly in Lincoln on the fourth and final day of the third unofficial Test between New Zealand A and India A on Tuesday, but the rain soon returned to have the final say, and the game was called off early, at 1pm local time.
Not a single delivery was bowled on the final day - like the third - as the teams finished with a 0‑0 scoreline in what was a bit of a scene-setter for the two-Test series between New Zealand and India, beginning November 19.
From India's point of view, a number of players who will be part of that Test series were in action and got game time.
The two leaders in the race for the team's No. 3 batting spot - Devdutt Padikkal the incumbent and B Sai Sudharsan the challenger - were among the top-three run-getters in the series. Padikkal's 199 in the first game was his statement innings of the series, while Sai Sudharsan made two fifties: a fighting 91 in the first game, as well as an 88 in India A's only innings in the third game.
Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his prolific red-ball form in this game as well. His 102 here marked his second century in a series where he compiled 279 runs in five innings, at an average of 69.75.
Dhruv Jurel followed up his own century earlier in the series with a 71 in this game. He is likely to find a spot in the India XI come November 19, especially with Rishabh Pant's availability still a question mark as he continues his recovery from a side strain.
And Tilak Varma - yet to make his India Test debut, and not a part of India's Test squad on this tour - served a reminder of his own red-ball promise with an unbeaten 81 before India declared on 464 for 5 on the second day.
New Zealand are yet to name their Test squad. Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips and Nathan Smith will leave their one-day squad ahead of the fifth ODI to prepare for the series. Allrounder Dean Foxcroft was their best batter in the three-match 'A' series. He scored 196 runs in four innings at an average of 65.33, including a best of 93 in Christchurch in the second game. His solitary Test appearance so far came against Ireland in May 2026.
Among New Zealand's bowlers, the uncapped Zak Gibson's eight wickets were on top of the series' wicket-taking table. On the other hand, India fielded Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, as well as Prasidh Krishna in this third game, hoping to give them game time ahead of the Test series, but the two fast bowlers could send down only 11 overs combined, while Jadeja did not get a chance to bowl. Bumrah was on target even though he didn't get a wicket, while Prasidh picked up both New Zealand A wickets to fall.
Bumrah was rested for the white-ball series against West Indies and New Zealand, while Jadeja had flown to New Zealand after playing two games for Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy. Krishna is in contention to be a part of India's bowling line-up as well, playing for the first time since recovering from his hamstring injury during the second ODI against West Indies in September.
