India A bowled out for 113 as NZ A lead by 22 on Day 1 in Lincoln
Synopsis
India A crumbled to 113 all out on a green Lincoln track, with KL Rahul failing to score and Jaiswal making just 17. Simon Keene's 5/24 was the centrepiece of the collapse. New Zealand A then built a 22-run lead on Day 1, with Auqib Nabi now one wicket away from a Day 2 hat-trick — India A's one thin thread of hope.
Key Takeaways
India A were bowled out for 113 in 39.2 overs against New Zealand A in the first unofficial Test in Lincoln on 24 October 2026 .
Simon Keene claimed 5 for 24 and Zak Gibson took 3 for 29 to dismantle the India A batting line-up.
KL Rahul was dismissed for a duck; Yashasvi Jaiswal managed 17 before edging behind.
Yash Rathod top-scored with an unbeaten 44 , hitting three sixes in a spirited lower-order counterattack.
Rhys Mariu scored 76 for New Zealand A before being dismissed; Curtis Heaphy remained unbeaten on 37 at stumps.
Auqib Nabi took two wickets in consecutive deliveries late in the day and will have a hat-trick chance on Day 2 .
India A were bowled out for 113 and trail New Zealand A by 22 runs after the opening day of the first unofficial Test in Lincoln on 24 October 2026, with the hosts' seamers exploiting a green surface to dominate proceedings. Yash Rathod's unbeaten 44 prevented an even heavier collapse, but a disciplined New Zealand A attack left India A well behind at stumps.
India A's Batting Collapse
New Zealand A elected to field after winning the toss and immediately made their decision count on the seam-friendly track. Simon Keene was the chief destroyer, finishing with 5 for 24, while Zak Gibson chipped in with 3 for 29 to skittle India A inside 39.2 overs.
The top order offered little resistance. KL Rahul departed without scoring, chasing a delivery outside off stump, while Yashasvi Jaiswal managed 17 before edging behind to first slip. Keene then struck twice in quick succession — dismissing Sai Sudharsan for a duck and captain Dhruv Jurel for one — to leave India A reeling at an early stage.
Devdutt Padikkal provided fleeting stability at No. 3, reaching 32 before falling off the very first delivery he faced after lunch. His dismissal reduced the visitors to 56 for five. Washington Sundar then departed without scoring, and the lower order — including Anshul Kamboj, Auqib Nabi, and Akash Deep — could not convert their brief stays. India A slid to 81 for nine before Keene completed his five-wicket haul by removing Mukesh Choudhary.
Rathod's Fighting Knock
The one bright spot for India A was Yash Rathod, who produced a spirited counterattack to drag the innings past a potentially more embarrassing total. The right-hander struck three sixes and remained unbeaten on 44, taking the attack to the bowlers after New Zealand A had dominated for much of the innings. His knock at least ensured India A crossed three figures.
New Zealand A Build a Lead
New Zealand A's reply began cautiously, with Curtis Heaphy and captain Rhys Mariu negotiating the difficult conditions. Mariu was given an early lifeline when Jaiswal failed to hold a catch at third slip off Akash Deep, a miss that proved costly as the captain went on to score 76 before being trapped leg before wicket by Choudhary. The opening pair put on a century partnership to give the hosts a firm grip on the match.
Heaphy remained unbeaten on 37 at stumps. Auqib Nabi briefly swung momentum India A's way, dismissing night watchman Jayden Lennox and then removing Tim Robinson leg before wicket with his next delivery. The sequence left Nabi one wicket shy of a hat-trick — an opportunity he will carry into the second morning. New Zealand A closed the day at 135 for three, ahead by 22 runs.
Scorecard Snapshot
India A 113/10 (Yash Rathod 44*; Devdutt Padikkal 32; Simon Keene 5/24, Zak Gibson 3/29) trail New Zealand A 135/3 (Rhys Mariu 76; Curtis Heaphy 37*; Auqib Nabi 2/31, Mukesh Choudhary 1/30) by 22 runs.
With New Zealand A in the ascendancy and Auqib Nabi poised for a potential hat-trick delivery on Day 2, India A will need an exceptional turnaround with both bat and ball to claw back into this unofficial Test.
Point of View
With KL Rahul contributing nothing and Jaiswal unable to convert a start, will concern selectors watching these fringe players ahead of future Test considerations. Yash Rathod's unbeaten 44 is a genuine positive, but one fighting knock cannot mask a collective batting failure against a seam-friendly surface. The missed catch off Mariu — who went on to make 76 — compounded the damage. India A need the remaining wickets quickly on Day 2 and an extraordinary batting revival to salvage anything from this first unofficial Test.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was India A's total in the first unofficial Test against New Zealand A in Lincoln?
India A were bowled out for 113 in 39.2 overs on the opening day of the first unofficial Test in Lincoln on 24 October 2026. Simon Keene took 5 for 24 and Zak Gibson claimed 3 for 29 to dismiss the visitors.
How did KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal perform for India A?
KL Rahul was dismissed for a duck after chasing a delivery outside off stump, while Yashasvi Jaiswal made 17 before edging behind to first slip. Neither player was able to provide the foundation India A needed.
Who scored the most runs for India A on Day 1?
Yash Rathod top-scored with an unbeaten 44, hitting three sixes in a spirited counterattack from the lower order. Devdutt Padikkal was the second-highest scorer with 32 before falling to the first ball after lunch.
What is the match situation at the end of Day 1?
New Zealand A ended Day 1 at 135 for three in reply to India A's 113, leading by 22 runs with Curtis Heaphy unbeaten on 37. Rhys Mariu top-scored with 76 before being dismissed by Mukesh Choudhary.
What is the hat-trick situation for Auqib Nabi?
Auqib Nabi dismissed night watchman Jayden Lennox and then removed Tim Robinson leg before wicket with the very next delivery on Day 1. He will begin Day 2 one wicket away from completing a hat-trick.
