India A bowled out for 113 on green top, five ducks in Lincoln Test

India A's batting lineup suffered a dramatic collapse on the opening day of the first unofficial Test against New Zealand A at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln on October 24, 2026. Batting first on a green pitch favoring seam bowling, India A was dismissed for 113 in 39.3 overs. Five batters—KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, and Mukesh Choudhary—were all dismissed for ducks, while captain Dhruv Jurel managed just one run. Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 17 off 45 balls, and Devdutt Padikkal contributed 32 off 77 deliveries, but neither could stabilize the innings. Yash Rathod provided the lone substantial resistance with an unbeaten 44 off 49 balls, striking three fours and three sixes.

New Zealand A's pace attack dominated the match. Simon Keene was the standout performer, claiming five wickets for 24 runs in 11.3 overs. Zak Gibson took three wickets for 29 runs, including those of Jaiswal and Padikkal, while Fraser Sheat and Kristian Clarke contributed one wicket each. The green pitch and consistent seam movement proved too challenging for India A's established Test players to negotiate.

New Zealand A responded firmly to India A's total, reaching 135 for three at stumps. Captain Rhys Mariu top-scored with 76 before being trapped leg-before by Mukesh Choudhary late in the day. Curtis Heaphy remained unbeaten on 37. India A's bowlers showed fight in the final session, with Auqib Nabi taking two wickets in quick succession—bowling night watchman Jayden Lennox and dismissing Tim Robinson leg-before—to finish with figures of two for 31. Choudhary also claimed the wicket of Mariu. New Zealand A held a 22-run first-innings lead entering Day 2.