India A vs NZ A 3rd Unofficial Test: Rain ends series, Bumrah and Prasidh short of practice
Synopsis
Rain robbed India's returning pace duo of the red-ball overs they needed most. Bumrah, back from a year-long Test absence, and Prasidh Krishna bowled just 11 overs combined in Lincoln, leaving India's bowling preparation for the two-Test series against New Zealand threadbare — even as batters like Jaiswal and Jurel made strong cases with the bat.
Key Takeaways
The 3rd unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln ended in a draw on 10 November due to persistent rain.
The entire three-match unofficial series finished without a result, all three games drawn.
Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna managed only 11 overs combined ; Ravindra Jadeja did not bowl at all.
Yashasvi Jaiswal topped India A's batting with 279 runs in 5 innings at an average of 69.75 , including a 102 in the final match.
Dhruv Jurel's consistent form, including a series century, strengthened his Test squad case with Rishabh Pant's availability uncertain.
India's senior Test series against New Zealand is scheduled to begin on 19 November .
Persistent rain brought the third unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A to an early close at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln on Tuesday, 10 November, with the match ending in a draw and denying returning fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna the red-ball match practice they needed ahead of the senior team's two-Test series against New Zealand beginning 19 November. The three-match unofficial series concluded without a result, all three games finishing drawn.
How Rain Ended the Match
After the entire third day was washed out, conditions offered no relief on the final morning either. The covers were briefly removed, raising hopes of some play, but a fresh spell of rain forced the umpires to call off proceedings at 1 pm local time without a single delivery being bowled. It was a frustrating conclusion to a series that had repeatedly been disrupted by the weather.
Bumrah and Prasidh Left Short of Overs
Bumrah, who last featured in a Test match in November last year, was one of the key players India's management had hoped to give competitive red-ball exposure ahead of the upcoming series. However, the two pace bowlers managed just 11 overs combined across the match. Ravindra Jadeja did not get an opportunity to bowl at all. New Zealand A had reached 36/2 at the close of the second evening, with Prasidh accounting for both wickets — returning figures of 2/12 — before rain intervened decisively.
India A's Batting Dominance
Yashasvi Jaiswal's commanding 102 anchored India A's first innings total of 464/5 declared, providing a platform for several middle-order contributions. Sai Sudharsan added 88, while Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 81. Dhruv Jurel chipped in with 71 and Washington Sundar was not out on 50 when the declaration came. For New Zealand A, uncapped pacer Zak Gibson finished with 2/73 in the innings.
Series Takeaways for the Test Squad
Despite the weather disruptions, the series yielded valuable batting data for India's selectors. Jaiswal finished the three-match series with 279 runs in five innings at an average of 69.75, cementing his status as a first-choice Test opener. Sudharsan, with scores of 91 and 88, and Devdutt Padikkal, who struck 199 in the opening game, also staked their claims. Jurel's back-to-back contributions — including a century earlier in the series — bolstered his argument for a Test berth, particularly with Rishabh Pant's availability reportedly still uncertain. For New Zealand A, Dean Foxcroft topped their batting charts with 196 runs, while Zak Gibson led the series wicket-takers with eight scalps.
Brief Scores
India A 464/5 declared (Yashasvi Jaiswal 102, Sai Sudharsan 88, Tilak Varma 81*, Dhruv Jurel 71, Washington Sundar 50*; Zak Gibson 2/73) drew with New Zealand A 36/2 (Prasidh Krishna 2/12).
With the bowling unit's preparation cut short, India's pace attack will head into the first Test on 19 November with questions around Bumrah's match sharpness still unanswered.
Point of View
The pressure of red-ball match situations — and rain denied him that entirely. India enters the two-Test series against a home New Zealand side with their premier pace attack critically underprepared, while the batting unit, paradoxically, looks well-stocked. The Jurel-versus-Pant selection question also remains unresolved, though Jurel has done everything asked of him. Selectors may have to back form over reputation — but the bowling readiness question has no easy fix between now and 19 November.
NationPress
10 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the India A vs New Zealand A 3rd unofficial Test end in a draw?
Persistent rain forced an early abandonment on the final day at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, with no play possible after 1 pm local time. The entire third day had already been lost to weather, leaving insufficient time for a result.
How many overs did Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna bowl in the match?
Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna bowled just 11 overs between them before rain ended the match. Prasidh took both New Zealand A wickets to fall, finishing with figures of 2/12, while Bumrah was left with minimal competitive bowling time.
How did Yashasvi Jaiswal perform in the India A unofficial Test series?
Jaiswal was the standout performer with 279 runs across five innings at an average of 69.75, including a century of 102 in the third match. His form significantly strengthened his case as India's Test opener.
When does India's senior Test series against New Zealand begin?
The two-Test series between India and New Zealand is scheduled to begin on 19 November. The India A series in Lincoln was intended as preparation for that assignment.
Who are the other India A players who made an impression in the series?
Devdutt Padikkal struck 199 in the opening game, while Sai Sudharsan registered scores of 91 and 88. Dhruv Jurel made back-to-back contributions including a series century, bolstering his claim for a Test berth amid uncertainty over Rishabh Pant's availability.
