No play on day three leaves India A match likely to end in draw

LINKS, November 9 – The third day of the unofficial Test featuring India A and New Zealand A was completely lost to rain, meaning no balls were delivered and the match is now poised to finish as a draw.

The interruption frustrated India A, whose bowlers were counting on the extra session to acclimatise before the senior team's Test series against New Zealand. Jasprit Bumrah, back after the Asian Games and a rest from the recent white‑ball series, managed a six‑over spell on day two, taking one wicket for 11 runs. Krishna contributed five overs and two wickets, while Ravindra Jadeja did not bowl at all because of the weather.

If Monday’s play had gone ahead, these three would have gained much‑needed match practice, possibly strengthening India’s pace attack for the forthcoming Test series. All three are members of the touring Test squad.

India A’s first‑innings total was a commanding 464 for five, built around Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 102, Sai Sudharsan’s 88, Dhruv Jurel’s 71, Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 81 and Washington Sundar’s 50. New Zealand A, by the end of the second day, stood at 46 for two.

With the third day erased, the likelihood of a draw mirrors the results of the two previous unofficial Tests between the sides, both of which also concluded without a decisive result.