NZ A lower order adds 55-run last-wicket stand to hand India A 46-run deficit
Synopsis
Mukesh Kumar's 5/87 and Siraj's 4/118 were ultimately not enough as a dropped catch and a stubborn 55-run last-wicket stand by Lennox and McKay pushed New Zealand A to 424, leaving India A chasing a 46-run deficit with one day to play in Christchurch.
Key Takeaways
New Zealand A posted 424 in their first innings at Hagley Oval on Day 3 , securing a 78-run lead over India A.
Mukesh Kumar finished with 5 for 87 and Mohammed Siraj took 4 for 118 .
A dropped catch off Akash Deep by R Smaran allowed Fraser Sheat to make 40 , proving a costly miss.
The last-wicket pair of Jayden Lennox and Jarrod McKay added 55 runs , with McKay scoring 33 off 75 balls .
Yashasvi Jaiswal (20*) and B Sai Sudharsan (11*) guided India A to 32/0 at stumps, cutting the deficit to 46 runs .
India A must build a big second-innings total on the final day to set a challenging target.
India A find themselves chasing a 46-run deficit on the final day of the second unofficial Test at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, after New Zealand A's lower order batted doggedly on Day 3 to push the hosts' first-innings total to 424, securing a 78-run lead. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (20*) and B Sai Sudharsan (11*) then survived 11 overs without loss, taking India A to 32 for 0 at stumps in their second innings.
Morning Breakthroughs by Siraj and Mukesh
Mohammed Siraj wasted no time on the third morning, dismissing overnight batter Matthew Boyle for 110 with the very first delivery of the day. A sharp one-handed catch by Devdutt Padikkal at slip ended a commanding 208-run partnership and raised India A's hopes of a quick innings wrap-up.
Siraj struck again after the second new ball was introduced, removing Dean Foxcroft for 93 — just seven runs short of what would have been a fine century. Mukesh Kumar then had wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay caught behind for 31, leaving the hosts under pressure at that stage.
Mukesh Kumar's Five-Wicket Haul
Mukesh continued to extract movement and discomfort, completing a five-wicket haul with final figures of 5 for 87. Siraj supported with 4 for 118, while Washington Sundar accounted for the remaining wicket. Despite the quality of the bowling, India A were unable to finish the innings quickly.
Missed Chance Proves Costly as Lower Order Digs In
A crucial dropped catch off the bowling of Akash Deep — with R Smaran the guilty party at slip — allowed Fraser Sheat to survive and go on to make 40. Kristian Clarke added 41, and the final-wicket pair of Jayden Lennox and Jarrod McKay proved particularly frustrating, adding 55 runs before Washington bowled McKay for a composed 33 off 75 balls. The last-wicket stand pushed New Zealand A well beyond India A's first-innings score of 346, closing out at 424.
India A's Second-Innings Task
Facing 11 overs before stumps, Jaiswal — who had endured a difficult run earlier in the tour — looked more assured, finishing unbeaten on 20. Sudharsan contributed 11 as the pair safely negotiated the day's remaining play. With the final day ahead, India A must build a substantial second-innings total to set a challenging target and keep their hopes alive in the match.
Brief Scores: India A 346/10 and 32/0 (Jaiswal 20*, Sudharsan 11*) trail New Zealand A 424/10 (Boyle 110, Foxcroft 93, Mukesh 5-87, Siraj 4-118) by 46 runs.
Point of View
Yet the failure to convert pressure into a quicker dismissal is a familiar theme in long-form cricket when tail-enders are given a lifeline. With Jaiswal searching for form after a difficult tour run, his assured 20 not out is a subplot worth watching on the final day — this match could yet serve as his and Sudharsan's audition for bigger opportunities ahead.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current match situation in the 2nd unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A?
At the end of Day 3 at Hagley Oval, India A trail New Zealand A by 46 runs. New Zealand A posted 424 in their first innings, and India A are 32 for no loss in their second innings, with Yashasvi Jaiswal on 20 not out and B Sai Sudharsan on 11 not out.
How did Mukesh Kumar and Mohammed Siraj perform on Day 3?
Mukesh Kumar was the pick of the India A bowlers, finishing with 5 for 87 to claim a five-wicket haul. Siraj supported with 4 for 118, while Washington Sundar took the remaining wicket. Together they bowled New Zealand A out for 424.
What was the key turning point on Day 3 of the match?
A dropped catch by R Smaran off the bowling of Akash Deep allowed Fraser Sheat to continue, and Sheat went on to make 40. The final-wicket pair of Jayden Lennox and Jarrod McKay then added 55 runs, pushing New Zealand A's total well beyond India A's first-innings score of 346.
How did Matthew Boyle and Dean Foxcroft contribute for New Zealand A?
Boyle scored 110 and was part of a 208-run partnership before being dismissed by Siraj with the first ball of the morning. Foxcroft made 93, falling just seven runs short of a century, also dismissed by Siraj after the second new ball was taken.
What does India A need to do on the final day?
India A need to post a substantial second-innings total to convert their 46-run deficit into a challenging target for New Zealand A. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and B Sai Sudharsan will resume on Day 4 with the entire day's play remaining.
