Yashasvi Jaiswal and Yash Rathod Rescue India A in Drawn New Zealand A Test
Yashasvi Jaiswal produced a timely, unbeaten century and Yash Rathod followed with a composed hundred as India A batted through the final day to secure a draw in the second unofficial Test against New Zealand A. Their unbroken third-wicket partnership of 247 transformed a difficult start into a commanding finish, leaving the visitors with little opportunity to push for victory.
India A ended their second innings at 282 for two, with Jaiswal unbeaten on 155 and Rathod on 100 not out. The result reflected the balance of a match in which New Zealand A had built a substantial first-innings lead, but could not make enough progress on the final day to force a decisive result. For supporters following the cricket, the partnership also offered a strong talking point for any future prediction about India A’s batting prospects: both players showed they could respond under pressure and adapt their approach to the match situation.
Early wickets put India A under pressure
Rain and drizzle delayed the start of the fourth and final day, but the weather cleared enough for play to begin beneath overcast skies. New Zealand A made the most of the conditions almost immediately, striking twice in the space of two overs to leave India A at 35 for two.
Jarrod McKay opened the day’s wicket-taking by dismissing Sai Sudharsan in the first over. Sudharsan edged a delivery towards leg gully, where Tim Robinson completed the catch. The visitors then removed Devdutt Padikkal for a golden duck. Brett Randell bowled the left-hander with a delivery from around the wicket that straightened enough to beat his defence. Padikkal had made 80 in the first innings, making his quick departure an important breakthrough for New Zealand A.
With two early wickets down, India A needed a partnership that could stabilise the innings without allowing the bowling side to dictate the pace. Jaiswal supplied exactly that. Rather than responding with reckless aggression, he selected his scoring opportunities carefully, turning over the strike and punishing deliveries that strayed into his preferred areas.
Jaiswal finds rhythm with an attacking century
Jaiswal arrived at the match looking to rediscover his best form after a run of modest scores, including a first-innings duck in this game. His response was measured but decisive. He used his feet to the spinners, found gaps in the field and maintained enough pressure to prevent New Zealand A from settling into a defensive rhythm.
One of the innings’ most eye-catching shots came against Dean Foxcroft, whom Jaiswal slog-swept for six. The left-hander later reached his century from 119 balls with another slog-sweep, sending the ball over cow corner. He continued to attack after passing three figures, finishing with 15 fours and five sixes.
Jaiswal also had to deal with a physical scare when a short delivery from McKay struck his helmet. Play paused while he underwent a concussion check, but he was cleared to continue. The incident briefly interrupted his flow, yet it did not derail an innings that combined confident stroke-making with the discipline needed to bat out the day.
Rathod provides a steady partner
At the other end, Rathod played the supporting role before building his own innings into a landmark performance. He had managed only 13 in the first innings, but looked far more assured in the second. His fifty came from 63 balls, and he kept pace with Jaiswal as the pair turned a recovery effort into a dominant stand.
The partnership was especially valuable because India A had begun the innings 78 runs behind. Jaiswal and Rathod erased that deficit in the 20th over, then continued to add runs at a brisk rate. India A scored 237 runs in the 40 overs between the resumption of play and Tea, a remarkable stretch of scoring that shifted the mood of the match.
New Zealand A’s bowling options were also limited. Fraser Sheat was unable to bowl because of a side strain, while Jayden Lennox was sidelined with a hamstring injury. With two bowlers unavailable, the remaining attack had fewer opportunities to rotate and apply sustained pressure. Jaiswal and Rathod took advantage, but did so without sacrificing the security of their wickets.
Rathod reaches his 11th first-class century
Rathod resumed the final session on 95 and brought up his hundred with the fourth ball after Tea. It was the 11th first-class century of his career and a fitting reward for an innings that grew in authority as the partnership progressed.
Once Rathod reached the milestone, the teams shook hands four balls later, bringing the contest to a close. The pitch had not deteriorated enough to make a declaration and a late attempt at a result a realistic option for India A. With the match already heading towards a draw, the century provided a natural moment to end proceedings.
First-innings performances shaped the contest
New Zealand A had taken control earlier in the match, replying to India A’s first-innings 346 with 424. Matthew Boyle led the way with 110, while Foxcroft contributed 93. Their partnership and the support from the rest of the batting order gave the visitors a 78-run advantage and set up the possibility of a result.
India A’s bowlers worked hard to contain the total. Mukesh Kumar claimed five wickets for 87 runs, while Mohammed Siraj took four for 118. Dhruv Jurel had earlier been the standout batter for India A, scoring 105 in the first innings to help his side reach a competitive total.
What the draw means for India A
Although the match ended without a winner, Jaiswal’s return to form and Rathod’s century were significant positives for India A. Their partnership demonstrated patience after early setbacks, while still showing the ability to score quickly when the opportunity arose. That blend of resilience and intent is valuable in longer-format cricket, where a team must balance the need to protect its wickets with the need to keep the game moving.
For New Zealand A, the first-innings batting display and early final-day breakthroughs offered encouragement, though injuries to Sheat and Lennox reduced their bowling depth at a crucial stage. As both teams assess the series, the match provides plenty of material for future cricket discussion and prediction, particularly around India A’s batting combinations and the impact of Jaiswal’s renewed confidence.
Brief scores: India A 346 and 282 for two (Yashasvi Jaiswal 155 not out, Yash Rathod 100 not out; Brett Randell 1-62, Jarrod McKay 1-35) drew with New Zealand A 424.
