India A vs New Zealand A turned decisively in the visitors’ favour on Day 2 of the third unofficial Test in Lincoln, with a huge first-innings total and an eye-catching comeback from Prasidh Krishna. The Indian pacer, playing his first competitive match since a hamstring injury, removed both New Zealand A openers to leave the hosts struggling at 36 for two.
For India’s selectors, the quick return of Prasidh Krishna may matter more than the scoreboard. The two-match Test series against New Zealand begins on 19 November in Wellington, and this match was the final chance for the squad’s bowlers to get overs into their legs.
India A vs New Zealand A: Day 2 Summary
India A resumed with a commanding position after their openers had put on 175 for the first wicket on Day 1, and they carried that momentum through the second day. They declared on 464 for five in the third session, giving their bowlers a long evening session at the New Zealand A top order.
Key moments from Day 2:
- India A declared at 464 for five after a day of steady, patient batting.
- Sai Sudharsan added 11 to his overnight score before Zak Gibson bowled him for 88 off 255 balls.
- Tilak Varma, Washington Sundar and Dhruv Jurel all made half-centuries, with Ravindra Jadeja also contributing.
- India A reached 331 for four at lunch, then accelerated after the break.
- Prasidh Krishna took the wickets of Rhys Mariu and Curtis Heaphy to leave New Zealand A on 36 for two.
Prasidh Krishna Strikes on Return From Injury
The headline performance came from the ball. Prasidh Krishna shared the new ball with Jasprit Bumrah and needed little time to settle. He bowled Rhys Mariu for a duck with an inswinger that got through the batter’s defence and hit the stumps.
He then went after Curtis Heaphy. An edge had earlier flown towards third slip, where Sai Sudharsan put down the chance, but Prasidh did not have to wait long for another opportunity. A delivery that nipped back in trapped Heaphy lbw for 19.
Bumrah, for his part, bowled six overs for 11 runs without a wicket, showing good control. Mukesh Choudhary and Mukesh Kumar also had spells, so India A used the fixture to give several Test-squad candidates time in match conditions.
How Prasidh Krishna Got Back on the Field
Prasidh hurt his left hamstring during the second ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati on 30 September. He was initially named in the squad for the first three ODIs against New Zealand, subject to fitness, but the BCCI withdrew him on 30 October, saying he needed more time to build his workload. Auqib Nabi came into the ODI squad in his place.
The BCCI said at the time that he could play this India A game if he passed a Return to Play assessment. He failed his first simulation test, then cleared the second at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and was declared fit for the Test series, which meant he could fly to New Zealand and join the India A group in Lincoln.
New Zealand A Under Pressure
The hosts were without frontline pacers Jarrod McKay and Danru Ferns because of injuries, which left their attack short of options as India A built their total. At the close of play, Dean Foxcroft and nightwatcher Zak Gibson were unbeaten, with New Zealand A still well behind and needing a major recovery to stay in the contest.
What It Means for the India Test Series
A fit and wicket-taking Prasidh Krishna is good news for the touring side. With Bumrah also bowling in the same game, India will head to Wellington knowing their pace group has had some real match time. The batting depth shown by Tilak, Sundar, Jurel and Jadeja, along with Sai Sudharsan’s 88, also gives selectors plenty to think about.
The India A vs New Zealand A match is unofficial, so none of these performances count towards official records, but the lead-up to a Test series rarely gets more useful than this.
