India A batter Devdutt Padikkal delivered an outstanding performance in the first unofficial Test against New Zealand A in Lincoln, scoring 199 runs. He narrowly missed out on a double century after being dismissed just one run short of the milestone. His innings played a major role in helping India A recover from a difficult position.
Padikkal was dismissed by Zak Gibson, leaving India A at 369 for five wickets. Although he was disappointed to miss the opportunity to score 200, his impressive innings gave the Indian team fresh hope after a disappointing start to the match.
Starting the day unbeaten on 56, Padikkal continued his confident batting and went on to score 199 runs from 248 balls. His innings included 24 boundaries and three sixes. He showed patience and control throughout his stay at the crease, helping India A build a strong response against New Zealand A.
India A had struggled in their first innings, managing only 113 runs. New Zealand A then scored enough runs to establish a lead of 204, putting the Indian side under considerable pressure. Padikkal’s contribution became especially important as India A needed a strong batting performance to fight their way back into the contest.
After losing early wickets, India A needed a partnership that could stabilise the innings. Padikkal joined forces with Sai Sudharsan and Yash Rathod to rebuild the team’s position. Their contributions helped India A recover and put pressure back on the New Zealand A bowlers.
Sudharsan scored an impressive 91 runs, while Rathod added 66. Both batters supported the recovery with valuable innings, helping India A move towards a much stronger total. Their performances, along with Padikkal’s near-double century, proved crucial after the team’s early batting problems.
Padikkal’s dismissal at 199 ended one of the most significant innings of the match. However, his effort had already changed the direction of India A’s innings and strengthened the team’s position. His ability to remain at the crease for a long period also demonstrated his patience and concentration in the longer format of the game.
The left-handed batter had previously impressed against Sri Lanka with two centuries, but his performances since then had been mixed. His innings against New Zealand A provided another reminder of his ability to score heavily when he finds his rhythm.
The match also offered valuable experience for India A’s players as they prepare for future challenges in New Zealand. Performances from batters such as Padikkal, Sudharsan and Rathod could help strengthen their claims for further opportunities at a higher level.
Although Padikkal missed his double century by just one run, his 199-run knock remained a major highlight of the match. His performance helped India A recover from a poor start and made the contest more competitive.