Top 3 run-getters for NZ-A vs IND-A series

India A wrapped up their three-match red-ball tour of New Zealand with all three unofficial Tests ending in draws. The matches were played across two venues, Lincoln and Christchurch, with rain playing a significant role in the final two games.

The first match at Lincoln produced a dramatic fightback from India A after they were bowled out for 113 in their first innings. However, the second and third games were heavily affected by weather, with the third match at Lincoln losing its final two days entirely to rain. Finally, here is a look at the three batters who finished at the top of the run-scoring charts for the series.

3. Sai Sudharsan

Sai Sudharsan, the discarded Indian batter working his way back into contention, finished third in the series run-getters with 231 runs from five innings at an average of 46.20. His two half-centuries were the highlights of his campaign. In the first match at Lincoln, he contributed a gritty 91 off 184 balls, hitting 12 fours before Kristian Clarke ended his innings.

That knock formed part of the 215-run partnership with Padikkal that helped India A avoid defeat. Sudharsan then returned to form in the third match at Lincoln, scoring 88 in India A's only innings of that game, a declaration total of 464 for 5. He is regarded as the primary challenger to Padikkal for India's No. 3 Test batting slot, and this series gave him a platform to press that claim.

2. Yashasvi Jaiswal

Yashasvi Jaiswal ended the series second on the run-getters list with 279 runs from five innings at an average of 69.75 and a strike rate of 77.93. He was the only batter in the series to register two centuries. However, his campaign began poorly: he struggled in the first match at Lincoln and was dismissed for a low score in the first innings at Christchurch, which was noted as his third straight low score on the tour.

He responded emphatically in the second match, scoring an unbeaten 155 at Christchurch, where he and Yash Rathod put on an unbroken 247-run stand after India A lost Padikkal and Sudharsan early on day four. Jaiswal then followed that up with 102 in the third match at Lincoln, completing a strong finish to the New Zealand assignment.

1. Devdutt Padikkal

Devdutt Padikkal was the leading run-getter of the series, finishing with 326 runs from five innings at an average of 65.20 against New Zealand A. His defining contribution came in the second innings of the first match at Lincoln, where he struck 199 off 248 balls to orchestrate a remarkable recovery after India A had collapsed to 113 in their first dig.

During that innings, Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan added 215 runs for a key partnership before Kristian Clarke dismissed Sudharsan for 91. Padikkal's 199 remained the highest individual score of the series. The left-hander has been in outstanding red-ball form over the last 18 months, with notable performances in Sri Lanka also forming part of that run, and he heads into the upcoming period as the incumbent holder of India's No. 3 Test batting position.