Mukesh takes 5, Siraj bags 4-fer before 10th-wkt stand lasts 24.5 overs, Deep-Suthar remain wicketless on Day 3

The second unofficial Test (four-day game) between India A and New Zealand A seems to be heading for a draw. On Day 3, Matthew Boyle's century and Dean Foxcroft's 93 were followed by resistance from the lower order. From 291/7 in 87.5 overs, New Zealand A posted 424 in 132.5 overs, taking a 78-run lead. Mukesh Kumar bagged a fifer, Mohammed Siraj claimed a four-fer, but Akash Deep and Manav Suthar remained wicketless.

Washington Sundar's only wicket was no.11 batter Jarrod McKay, who shared a 55-run stand for the 10th wicket. India A openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan got off to decent starts and narrowed down the trail to 46 runs towards the end of Day 3’s play.

Siraj takes 3 in 1st session

Starting Day 3 at an overnight score of 218/3, New Zealand lost Boyle early. With his first ball of the day, Siraj took the wicket of Boyle. Devdutt Padikkal pulled off a stunning catch to break the partnership. Boyle scored 110 runs from 152 balls, featuring 14 fours and a six. No more wickets fell till the second new ball was taken.

In his first over with the second new ball, Siraj trapped Foxcroft in front of the stumps. He departed after scoring 93 runs from 226 balls, including nine boundaries. In the next over, Mukesh got the wicket of Mitchell Hay. The wicketkeeper scored 31 runs from 73 balls, including a six and three fours. Just before the lunch break, Siraj knocked over Brett Randell. The ball hit the top of off stump as Randell shouldered arms. New Zealand A lost seven wickets for 287 runs.

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Deep creates one chance but put down

After the first session, India A were hoping to get rid of the tail quickly and take a lead of around 50, but the Kiwi lower order had other plans. Akash Deep overstepped a few times and was not consistent with his lengths. In the 96th over, he managed to create a chance, but Smaran Ravichandran dropped a sitter at first slip. Fraser Sheat was batting on 10 when his catch was dropped. Sheat and Kristian Clarke batted out the first hour.

Mukesh takes fifer but lower order frustrates

Just after the drinks break, Mukesh was brought back into the attack, and Ravichandran made amends for the dropped catch. Clarke was dismissed for a 68-ball 41. He hit six fours during his stay at the crease. After the scores were level, Sheat took on Siraj. He hit two fours and a six in the 107th over. The ball was lost after the massive six. The replacement ball was not up to the mark, and Indian bowlers, skipper Dhruv Jurel got it changed a few deliveries later. Just after the ball was changed, Mukesh got rid of Sheat. He was lured into a drive, and Padikkal took a regulation at second slip. Sheat departed after scoring 40 runs from 51 balls. Mukesh completed his first-class career's 12th fifer, a statement spell after facing another snub from the Test squad.

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New Zealand A's first innings would have ended at 371, but Siraj dropped a simple catch at mid-off. Sundar couldn't create another chance for a while. Jayden Lennox and Jarrod Mckay returned not out after the second session. New Zealand A's score was 391/9.

McKay and Lennox continued to frustrate Indian bowlers as the third session began. They reached their 30s. In the 133rd over, Sundar finally took a wicket. He knocked over McKay with a delivery that drifted away from him. McKay departed after scoring 33 runs from 75 balls, the highest score of his first-class career. On the other end, Lennox remained unbeaten for 32 off 97 balls. They shared a 55-run partnership for the 10th wicket from 149 deliveries. They did not just bat for time but took the hosts' score to 424, taking a 78-run lead.

The main concern has been Deep’s form. He has not looked at his best. So far, in the four-day unofficial Test series, he has been outperformed by Auqib Nabi and Mukesh. Sundar has not been potent with the old ball either. The decision to not pick Suthar was criticised but New Zealand conditions may not suit him.

Jaiswal, Sudharsan survive new ball 

After a duck in the first innings, Jaiswal got off the mark with a boundary against Sheat. In the third over, Sai Sudharsan got off the mark with a boundary against Sheat. Jaiswal and Sudharsan had a few close calls against the new ball, but no wicket fell. In the last over of the day, Jaiswal hit Randell for two boundaries. In the last over of the day, Randell appealed for a caught behind, but the umpire turned it down. At the end of Day 4's play, India A were 32 for no loss. The openers brought down the deficit to 46 runs. Jaiswal scored 20 runs from 38 balls. On the other end, Sudharsan faced 28 balls and scored 11 runs.

What does India A need to do on Day 4?

Unless India A suffers a batting collapse, the game is headed for a draw. Jaiswal has got a decent start, his highest score on the tour already. The Indian opener should look to make the most of it and get rid of concerns around his form.

In the previous game, he had registered scores of 17 and 5. In Mumbai's Ranji Trophy 2026-27 opener, he bagged a duck against New Zealand. On the Sri Lanka tour, he got two starts but could not convert them and bagged one duck. It was a similar story in the one-off Afghanistan Test. India need him to play big knocks and get them off to a good start in the two-Test series against New Zealand. His form will be crucial for India as they look to revive their World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 campaign.

In the ongoing WTC cycle, Jaiswal is the joint 10th-highest scorer with 790 runs from 20 innings, averaging 39 and a half, including three tons and three fifties.