The absence of a fifty on Sri Lanka tour, a duck in the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 opener, low scores in the first tour game against New Zealand A, and then another duck raised concerns about opener Yashasvi Jaiswal's form ahead of the two-Test series against the BlackCaps. Jaiswal brushed aside those concerns with an electrifying 155 not out in India A's second innings against the home side in Christchurch four-day game. Another game ended in a draw, but Jaiswal’s century ticked off another box ahead of an important Test series on which India’s World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 final fate hinges.
Sudharsan, Padikkal fall early on Day 4
India A’s overnight score was 32 for no loss after 11 overs. Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan had survived a testing new-ball spell. The start of play was delayed at Hagley Oval due to rain. When play started, Sudharsan fell early to Jarrod McKay. He was caught at leg gully by Tim Robinson. He departed after scoring 11 runs from 34 balls. In the next over, an in-form Devdutt Padikkal was knocked over by Brett Randell for a golden duck.
Jaiswal takes charge, Rathod plays second fiddle
At 35/2, Yash Rathod arrived at the crease. Jaiswal hit the first boundary of the over, playing a cut shot, beating the gully fielder. He took an offensive route, smashing Randell for a six. The aggressive strokes continued, and India A got rid of the trail in the first hour of play itself. Jaiswal reached his fifty from 67 balls.
The opener welcomed off-spinner Dean Foxcroft with a six off the second ball to take India A's score to 100. He smashed a six in Foxcroft's next over too. Rathod kept rotating the strike at the other end and found the odd boundary as well. He had a close shave when he attempted a risky run, and the fielder missed the stumps. Jaiswal attempted to get down the track and hit boundaries. McKay did not like it and bowled a ferocious bouncer that hit the opener on the helmet. He got the physio's attention, and the play resumed.
New Zealand A’s depleted attack
New Zealand A missed the services of pacer Fraser Sheat and left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox. Sheat had a side strain, whereas Lennox is dealing with a hamstring issue. In the 33rd over of the innings, Rathod completed his half-century from 63 balls.
Jaiswal reaches ton in style, draw after Rathod reaches 100
In the 39th over, Jaiswal whacked Foxcroft for another six and reached his ton from 119 balls. This is his 18th century of first-class cricket. He also completed 5,000 runs in red-ball cricket.
After the slog sweep to reach three figures, he danced down the track to hit another maximum against Foxcroft. The onslaught continued, and Jaiswal reached his 150 from 154 deliveries. India A were 269/2 at tea break.
The final session of Day 4 lasted just 10 balls. Openers Curtis Heaphy and Rhys Mariu rolled their arm. Rathod took two doubles off skipper Mariu's bowling and reached his century from 122 balls. This was Rathod's 13th century of his first-class career.
India A were 282/2 with a lead of 204 runs when Mariu shook hands, and the game ended in a draw. Rathod hit nine fours in his 100 not out from 122 balls. Jaiswal remained unbeaten for 155 from 162 balls, featuring 15 fours and five sixes.
Positives and concerns after 2nd game for India Test squad
Jaiswal and skipper Dhruv Jurel bagged low scores in the series opener in Lincoln. In Christchurch, Jurel scored a century in the first innings. He got support from Akash Deep, who scored 68.
While Mukesh Kumar, who isn't part of the Test squad, grabbed a fifer, Mohammed Siraj registered a four-wicket haul. With Jaiswal regaining form, there are three major positives for India, including two in the batting department.
But the major concern now is Deep. He wasn't able to rush through the tail. New Zealand A were 291/7, but they went on to post 424. Siraj dropped a simple catch off Washington Sundar’s bowling, but Deep was expected to deliver with the ball. He bowled 23 overs, including six maidens, conceded 59 runs, and remained wicketless. Notably, a catch was dropped off Deep’s bowling in the slip cordon by Smaran Ravichandran.
In addition, Sundar was not as potent with the old ball. In almost 30 overs, he conceded 81 runs and bagged one wicket. He scored a fifty in the previous game but became part of the collapse in Christchurch.
When will India A play their next game?
The third and final game of the four-day series will begin on November 7 at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln.
Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the third unofficial Test as he is yet to achieve match fitness. His participation in the two-Test series remains doubtful. If he isn’t match-ready for the Wellington Test, Jurel can play as a wicketkeeper-batter. KL Rahul can keep gloves. As a back-up wicketkeeper, either Ishan Kishan will be asked to stay, or Kumar Kushagra will receive a maiden Test call-up.
There were reports of Jasprit Bumrah and Tilak Varma playing the third four-day game, but the squad is yet to be confirmed. Bumrah has arrived in New Zealand, more than a couple of weeks ahead of the two-Test series. He was spotted watching the second unofficial Test in Christchurch.
So far, it is confirmed that Nitish Kumar Reddy will play the game and will be available for just the first ODI of the series. Prasidh Krishna will join too, but his participation is subject to fitness.
Meanwhile, New Zealand A have a few injury concerns. Sheat and Lennox will have a few days to recover before the third four-day game. New Zealand A will not have the services of Henry Nicholls, who was initially picked for the third four-day match. On November 2, Nicholls was named as a replacement for an unfit Mark Chapman for the first three ODIs against India. The first three ODIs of the five-ODI series will be played from November 4 to 10.