India A reach 227/2 on Day 1 as Jaiswal and Sudharsan anchor Lincoln Test

At the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, India A closed Day 1 of the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A on 227 for 2, with Yashasvi Jaiswal contributing a fluent 102 off 138 balls and B Sai Sudharsan remaining unbeaten on 77 off 205 balls. The four-day match, scheduled from November 7 to 10, 2026, is part of India A's tour of New Zealand 2026-27.

New Zealand A won the toss and chose to field. Their opening attack featured Brett Randell and Zak Gibson, with Jarrod McKay coming on as first change and Dean Foxcroft also bowling in the match. Danru Ferns was drafted into the New Zealand A XI just minutes before the toss after Adi Ashok suffered a dislocated finger.

Jaiswal and Sudharsan put on 175 runs for the opening partnership, giving India A a platform that carried through the day. India A were 83 for 0 at lunch, the pair having negotiated the morning session without loss.

Jaiswal brought up his half-century off 87 balls in the second session, then reached his century off 127 balls with back-to-back fours through a sweep. Shortly after reaching three figures, he required treatment for cramps. He was eventually dismissed caught at mid-off off the bowling of Ferns, who finished with 1 for 16. Matthew Boyle had earlier dropped Jaiswal at first slip off McKay's bowling.

Devdutt Padikkal came in next but fell for 15, nicked behind off Gibson after facing 53 balls. Sudharsan, meanwhile, had reached his half-century off 129 balls and was still at the crease when rain ended play with approximately one hour remaining. Dhruv Jurel was batting alongside him at stumps.

How did Jaiswal perform in the series before this innings?

Jaiswal's century in the third unofficial Test came after a difficult run in the series. In the first three innings of the second match against New Zealand A, he managed scores of 5, 0 and 17. He had also recorded a duck in a solitary Ranji Trophy innings and previously failed to reach 50 in Tests against Sri Lanka.

However, in the second unofficial Test of this series, Jaiswal had struck 155 not out, which showed his capacity for large scores in these conditions. The century in the third match, his 12th first-class hundred, underlined his return to form after those lean outings earlier in the tour.