India A recovered from a middle-order collapse to finish the opening day of their four-day match against New Zealand A at 291 for seven on Saturday.
Captain Dhruv Jurel led the fightback with an unbeaten 99, while Devdutt Padikkal scored a fluent 80. Jurel was still at the crease on 99 off 155 balls at stumps, with Akash Deep giving him company on 25.
The pair added 69 runs for the eighth wicket in 18.4 overs to help India A recover after losing several wickets in quick succession.
Early setback for India A
India A got off to a difficult start when Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed in the very first over. New Zealand pacer Fraser Sheat trapped the opener leg-before-wicket on the fourth ball of the match.
However, Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan steadied the innings. India A went into lunch at a comfortable 87 for one.
Sudharsan, who scored 41, could not continue after the break. In the first over after lunch, he punched an outgoing delivery from Jarrod McKay but ended up giving a catch to wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay.
Padikkal scores a fluent 80
Padikkal continued to bat confidently despite Sudharsan’s dismissal. He completed his half-century in 101 balls with a boundary through the point region off McKay.
India A were 131 for two at that stage and looked in control. However, New Zealand A struck back with three wickets in the space of just seven runs.
Yash Rathod was the first to go. He edged a delivery from Brett Randell to wicketkeeper Hay after scoring 13.
Padikkal followed him soon after. The left-hander attempted a cut against Sheat, but the ball took an edge and disturbed the stumps.
Ravichandran Smaran was dismissed on the very next ball. He left a delivery that moved slightly towards him and was struck on the pads. The umpire accepted Sheat’s appeal for an LBW.
Sheat puts New Zealand A on top
India A’s problems continued as Washington Sundar also departed after being trapped in front by Sheat.
The pacer was the most successful bowler for the home side and played a key role in putting India A under pressure.
With wickets falling at the other end, Jurel took responsibility and found support from Manav Suthar.
Jurel leads the recovery
Jurel and Suthar put together a valuable 62-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
Suthar contributed 22 before his dismissal in the middle of the final session. His wicket left Jurel as the only recognised batter at the crease.
The India A captain, however, continued his innings with confidence. He reached his half-century in 93 balls and then attacked McKay with three boundaries in four balls.
Jurel struck two fours and a six in succession to bring some momentum back to the Indian innings.
Akash Deep supports Jurel
Jurel played some impressive drives and pull shots against McKay and Randell as he moved towards his century.
He then found a dependable partner in Akash Deep. The two batters negotiated the final phase of the day without losing another wicket.
Jurel remained unbeaten on 99, just one run short of his century, as India A finished the day at 291 for seven.