Despite featuring several players with international experience, India A struggled against New Zealand A’s disciplined pace attack on a surface that offered assistance to seamers.

Yash Rathod was the standout performer with an unbeaten 44, but his efforts were not enough to prevent the visitors from posting a below-par total.

Simon Keene led the hosts’ attack with a five-wicket haul, while Zak Gibson provided excellent support by claiming three wickets.

KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan among the Indian batters dismissed for ducks

India A’s innings got off to a poor start as New Zealand A’s fast bowlers found movement with the new ball.

KL Rahulone of the most experienced batters in the line-up, failed to make an impact and departed for a duck after facing eight deliveries.

Sai Sudharsan also endured a disappointing outing, getting bowled by Keene for a duck after facing 13 balls. The left-hander had been expected to provide stability in the top order, but the New Zealand A bowlers gave him little room to settle.

India A captain Dhruv Jurel was dismissed for just one run, leaving the visitors struggling to build a partnership. Yashasvi Jaiswalwho showed some resistance, made 17 from 45 deliveries before falling to Gibson.

The early wickets left India A under considerable pressure, with the middle order unable to arrest the slide. The procession of batters back to the pavilion continued as New Zealand A maintained their discipline and exploited the conditions.

Simon Keene and Zak Gibson dominate with the ball

Keene was the chief architect of India’s collapse, using accuracy and movement to trouble the batters throughout the innings.

His five-wicket haul ensured that India A never gained the momentum needed to build a competitive total.

Gibson was equally effective, picking up three wickets and removing key batters, including Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal. The right-arm seamer consistently tested the Indian batters and prevented them from settling into a rhythm.

Fraser Sheat and Kristian Clarke also contributed with a wicket each, ensuring that the pressure remained on India A from the opening overs until the innings ended.

New Zealand A’s bowling display was a reminder of how challenging overseas conditions can be for visiting batters. The hosts used their familiarity with the ground to good effect, maintaining tight lines and forcing India A into mistakes.

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Yash Rathod offers resistance with an unbeaten 44

Amid the collapse, Rathod provided the only substantial resistance for India A. The batter remained unbeaten on 44, showing greater composure than most of his teammates while trying to keep the innings alive.

He found the boundary regularly and attempted to counterattack when opportunities presented themselves. Rathod’s contribution helped India A cross the 100-run mark, but the lack of support at the other end meant the visitors could not build a meaningful partnership.

Padikkal was another batter who showed some fight, scoring 32 from 77 deliveries with five boundaries. However, his dismissal left India A without an established batter capable of guiding the lower order through the remainder of the innings.

Washington Sundar, Akash Deep and Mukesh Choudhary also failed to open their account against New Zealand A’s seamers, and India A were eventually dismissed for 113 in 39.3 overs.